Plans abandoned to reopen schools in Republic for pupils with special needs A locked gate at a primary school on the north side of Dublin Michelle Devane and James Ward, PA 20 January, 2021 08:26
Education Minister Norma Foley said she “regretted” it has not been possible to provide in-person learning “to this vulnerable cohort of children”.
The Irish government has abandoned its timetable to reopen schools for primary pupils with special needs later this week after unions rejected the plans.
The Department of Education said it will “regrettably” not be possible to due to a lack of co-operation by key staff unions in the primary sector.
Staff at special schools in Northern Ireland, which are remaining open during the current Covid-19 lockdown, are living in fear after it emerged pupils who have a relative at home who have tested positive for the virus are still able to attend.
Stormont’s Education Committee was hearing evidence from teaching unions on the state of education during the Covid lockdown on Wednesday morning.
The committee was told that staff at one special school are “absolutely distressed” after learning of a case where the pupil is still attending.
Justin McCamphill of the NASUWT informed the committee that Public Health Agency guidance allows for a child whose parent has tested positive for Covid to attend school after ten days of no symptoms, even if another family member tests positive.