Caution urged over relaxation of Covid restrictions in schools

Teaching unions and school managers are urging a cautious and gradual relaxation of Covid-19 rules.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) is expected to recommend the easing of public health rules relating to the mandatory wearing of face masks and physical distancing in schools when it meets on Thursday.

It will also consider giving the green light for the resumption of activities such as school concerts, plays, choirs and in-person parent-teacher meetings.

Minister for Education Norma Foley said on Wednesday that public health advice had served schools well during the pandemic and that whatever changes are recommended would be implemented in the education system.

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She said she anticipated that Nphet advice around hand hygiene and the need for symptomatic staff or pupils to stay at home, as well as enhanced cleaning, would likely remain in place .

However, staff representatives say the volume of Covid-19 in schools remains a challenge and is resulting in high levels of pupil and teacher absences.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) called for a “pragmatic and cautious” approach to any changes to Covid-19 mitigation measures in schools.

‘Assurances’

“We have sought assurances that infection prevention and control measures would remain in place in both primary and special schools for the 28 school days between the mid-term break and the Easter holidays, at the very least,” a spokesman said. “We have also set out our concern at the challenging situation in schools in recent weeks, despite these measures still being in place.”

The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) also urged caution and warned that a sudden relaxation of measures could disrupt preparation for the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert exams. TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said thousands of exam-year students are facing into oral, practical and project work deadlines over the coming weeks.

“If we stop everything all of a sudden, there is a risk that we’ll have lots of students and teachers missing. We’re urging a cautious approach,” he said.

“We’re not calling for masks to be retained indefinitely, but we know that the measures we’ve had in place have managed to keep the number of cases below those in the wider community.”

The two main school principals’ representative groups said they will be guided by whatever public health measures are announced.

‘Follow the science’

Páiric Clerkin of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) said: “Public health advice has guided us in the past and it’s important that we follow the science and do whatever is needed to keep children and staff as safe as possible.”

Paul Crone of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals added that school leaders will implement whatever changes are recommended.

Some individual principals, meanwhile, said they look forward to a full resumption of school activities.

Matt Melvin, principal of St Etchen's National School in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, said: "It will be fantastic to get back to sport, drama, art and music. It is so much part of the wider cultural and co-curricular experience . . . whatever happens, I hope that decisions are made on the basis of a public health rationale, rather than any political or social imperative."

Mark Boobbyer, warden of St Columba’s College in Dublin, said: “Personally, I’d be very happy to get rid of the restrictions. We haven’t been able to have whole-school assemblies for two years.

“I worry that the restrictions have led to a fracturing of community. We’ve really missed the school concert, the house singing competition and assemblies and full chapel services.”