“Planning for re-opening schools in line with the roadmap for re-opening society and business”
TUI describes speculative nature of the report as disappointing.
Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) calls for meaningful engagement on the real issues.
“The report released by Government today - “Planning for reopening schools in line with the roadmap for reopening society and business” - is excessively speculative and pays insufficient attention to public health advice,” stated the TUI President, Seamus Lahart. “For example, the oblique suggestion that classrooms could operate without social distancing is both odd and alarming. Classrooms are workplaces – crowded ones at that. These workplaces cannot be treated as if they enjoy some magical immunity from the risk that characterises other workplaces.”
“The report seems designed to pre-empt key elements of the necessary discussion about a safe and timely re-opening of schools – a discussion that the TUI has described as overdue,” he continued.
“Just as was the case in relation to the Leaving Certificate, the over-arching priority of all concerned – Government and Minister McHugh, not least – must be the health and safety of students, teachers, their families and their communities,” said Mr Lahart. “The TUI has been and will continue to be guided by the advice of the public health authorities. We want schools to open their doors to students as early as it is possible to do so safely. Our members want a return to face-to face, school-based teaching and learning. They want to engage directly with their students, particularly those who, for whatever reason, have struggled in the online environment. However, they want to do so safely. They are very conscious of their professional commitment to safeguarding their students.”
He also said that the TUI has raised the issue and the implications for schools of social distancing requirements but has been advised by the Department that it is too soon to do so as public health advice in this regard may evolve. “However, in today’s document, Government saw fit to set out an aspiration that has scant regard for the current advice. That is regrettable.”
Mr Lahart concluded by stating that what is needed most at this point is intensification of the engagement between the key stakeholders so that a clear and credible plan for re-opening schools can be developed as a matter of urgency.