Keep Covid-19 suppressed to ensure schools remain open, urge campaigners One million students and staff return to classrooms as schools fully reopen
about 15 hours ago
Children’s campaigners have called on all members of society to work together to suppress community transmission of Covid-19 and prioritise children’s right to an education.
One million students and staff returned to classrooms after the Easter break on Monday, with first- to fourth years at second level returning for the first time since Christmas.
While there had been concerns in some quarters that an upward creep in Covid-19 cases last month might jeopardise the reopening of school, the National Public Health Emergency Team has said transmission rates and outbreaks in schools remain low.
The Cabinet has agreed to extend Level 5 restrictions until April 5 while also reopening schools on a phased basis as the Taoiseach has said that the end is “truly in sight”.
In an address to the nation, Micheál Martin told the country that the Government has published its updated Living with Covid-19 roadmap, called ‘The Path Ahead’.
The country will remain in Level 5 restrictions up to April 5 and next month, the Government will consider easing the 5km travel ban and may also allow some outdoor activities.
However, any easing of restrictions will be dependent on public health advice.
320,000 students will return to school on Monday, including junior and senior infants, first and second class and Leaving Cert students.
Mock exam paper supplier cancels orders to comply with Government restrictions
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals noted the decision but said mock exams are not likely to be at the forefront of students minds at present
One of the country s biggest suppliers of mock exam papers has said it will not supply papers this year. Students sitting the Leaving Cert exam. File picture: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Mon, 11 Jan, 2021 - 20:05
Cianan Brennan
One of Ireland’s largest suppliers of mock exam papers for Junior and Leaving Certificate students will not provide sample papers in 2021.
Dublin-based DEB Exams said it had taken the decision not to produce any papers this year in order “to fully comply with the latest Government announcements regarding Covid-19 and tighter level 5 restrictions”.
The ASTI teaching union has directed its members not to comply with plans for Leaving Cert students to attend school for three days a week.
The union, which represents more than 17,500 teachers, said it was not consulted about the plan and had not received sufficient assurances that “schools are sufficiently safe” for students and teachers.
At an emergency meeting on Thursday, the ASTI standing committee decided to direct its members not to co-operate with the arrangements announced by the Minister for Education for in-school teaching.
Unfortunately, the assurances we sought have not been forthcoming.
ASTI President Ann Piggott
The union said it will engage in remote teaching and learning from Monday January 11.
Principals say schools will be kept open come hell or high water after the Christmas break, despite concerns about the spread of Covid-19 infections and an expected increase in case numbers over the festive period.
A rise in Covid-19 cases has led some parents to consider removing their children from classrooms ahead of schools breaking up, so they can restrict their movements before meeting elderly loved ones on Christmas Day.
Such precautionary measures are not considered absences that can be counted as being a direct result of the impact of Covid-19 , and would have to be reported to Tusla by schools under the Education (Welfare) Act if a student misses 20 days over the school year.