Following discussions between unions TUI, ASTI, INTO, management bodies ETBI, JMB and ACCS and the Department of Education and Skills this afternoon, schools should note:
- An announcement was made this morning by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD of the closure of schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings, for a period until 29 March 2020, to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. This will take effect from 6pm this evening, Thursday 12 March.This is in line with the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
- It is recommended that schools/centres consult with staff to finalise contingency planning this afternoon.
- Schools/centres are closed to students/learners during the period of closure.
- In order to minimise the impact on teaching and learning, all schools are asked to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so. Schools are asked to be conscious of students that may not have access to online facilities and to consider this actively in their response.
- Teachers should in the first instance work from home during normal school hours where this is possible. Where facilities are available in a school for online delivery, teachers who wish to avail of this should be facilitated, once this is in line with HSE advice on social distancing etc.
- It is important in particular that absences such as maternity leave etc. are keyed into the OLCS/ ETB payroll system to facilitate continued payment of salary.
- Schools/Centres are asked to prioritise supporting exam classes to continue to prepare for State examinations.