NI schools to reopen in Jan as normal, says minister
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December 20, 2020
LONDON: Northern Ireland’s schools will reopen as planned in January, the Education Minister has said.
Peter Weir said “in the best interests of all pupils” he had decided all schools and other education settings would reopen in the first week of January.
He moved to clarify the situation on Friday after teachers and parents demanded answers amid uncertainty around how education will operate during the six-week lockdown in Northern Ireland.
Weir said: “My main priority has always been to protect our children’s education, mental health and wellbeing. I believe that this can best be achieved through face-to-face learning and social engagement in schools.
Anxiety is rising among Northern Ireland teachers who will return to class next term, a union has warned.
Ulster Teachers’ Union general secretary Jacquie White urged the Education Minister to reconsider allowing schools to reopen as planned in January.
Her comments come after Peter Weir confirmed on Friday that all schools and education settings would reopen in the first week of January.
Mr Weir said the decision was made “in the best interests of all pupils”.
“I am mindful of the impact the pandemic is having on our children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and from disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.
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Northern Ireland s education minister has defended his decision to reopen schools in Janaury.
Teaching unions have criticised his plans which were set out on Friday.
Peter Weir says his decision was taken in line with public health advice and that the executive will keep it under review.
The chair of Stormont s education committee has submitted an assembly recall petition for Mr Weir to give an urgent statement on the school plans.
Thirty MLAs must sign Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle s petition in order to have the assembly recalled next week. The NI Assembly is currently in recess until 10 January.
Millstreet s Eva Dennehy had double cause for celebration after her selection as top student at this year s conferring of degrees in Primary teaching by Hibernia College.
In addition to receiving her Masters qualification, Eva was honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award - which is presented by the College to the student in each cohort with the highest grade across the Primary programme.
In addition, Eva also received the INTO Vere Foster Medal - awarded by the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) to the student in each cohort with the highest grade in School Experience on the Primary programme.
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image captionSchools did not close early ahead of Christmas
NI Education Minister Peter Weir has said all schools and other education settings will reopen in the first week of January.
He said his main priority has always been to protect our children s education, mental health and wellbeing .
It will begin on 26 December, with non-essential shops closing after Christmas Eve.
Schools reopened in August having been closed since March and have remained open since with the exception of an extended two-week break for half term.
They did not close early ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Mr Weir said he was mindful of the impact the pandemic is having on our children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and from disadvantaged backgrounds .