Northern Ireland schools: Teachers’ union calls for a ‘gradual return’ to schools after Christmas

[ad_1]

A leading teachers’ union is calling for a ‘gradual return’ to classrooms after the Christmas holidays to control the spread of Covid-19 infection in Northern Ireland schools.

Some students should be kept out of school in January, Justin McCamville, NASUWT’s national official for Northern Ireland, said, adding that there was still a problem getting replacement teachers in the lead-up to exam time.

He also revealed that in the past four weeks, nearly 1,400 school staff have contracted Covid and that schools are struggling to find cover for these jobs.

Mr McCamville previously called on schools to close on or before that day, 15 December, in an effort to counteract the “enormous pressure” within the sector.

In a letter to Education Secretary Michelle McKelvin, the NI chapter of NASUWT urged her to take additional measures to reduce the spread of Covid in schools in January.

In the letter, union secretary Dr Patrick Roach asked that decisions be made before schools close for the Christmas holidays.

Read more related articles Read more related articles

Speaking on the BBC’s Stephen Nolan Show in Ulster on Wednesday morning, Camville also urged Ms McIlvin to provide “overlapping” comeback times next month.

He said, “As teachers, we are in a very worrying situation. We have seen the number of cases continue to rise. The numbers are being produced on a weekly basis. The latest set of numbers shows that 1,395 employees have caught Covid in the past four weeks.”

Campville described the numbers as “enormous” and said they meant every school had been affected by Covid.

He added that new staff numbers are due tomorrow, and he believes it could be much worse.

“They (the teachers) are really worried about coming to Christmas, but I think with the prevalence of the Omicron variant, they are actually more worried now about what might happen after Christmas.

“That’s why we’re calling on the Secretary to consider a phased return after Christmas. It’s something we hope won’t be necessary, but something we think she should keep in mind when she meets her officials in the coming weeks.”

“Last January, we had a crisis in schools and they were hit hard. Unfortunately, I think we could look at the same situation.”

In addition to asking the Minister to consider the incredible return of pupils at the beginning of January, NASUWT is also seeking to provide additional on-site testing facilities and resources for pupils up to half-term in February.

They also want to see the publication of more guidance advising schools to cancel or postpone non-essential activities or events, move to online staff and parent meetings, and authorize staff working from home where appropriate, during this period.

SDLP education spokesman Daniel McCrosan also called for a contingency plan to keep schools open after the Christmas holidays.

He has written to the Minister outlining a number of proposals designed to keep children safe.

West Tyrone MLA said: “Throughout the pandemic, successive DUP education ministers and their administration have failed to act, despite all the warnings and our children and their education have suffered as a result.

“Our schools are already under severe stress and the alarm bell is sounding about the Omicron variant – we need to do everything we can now to ensure our schools can reopen safely in the new year.

“Our current teachers and school staff are under a lot of pressure because they are doing everything they can to try to keep schools open despite the pressures they are facing.

Many teachers and pupils have been affected by Covid and I am aware of schools already having to take turns attending annual groups at school, while others have decided to return to distance learning. There was also significant disruption to the test units.”

Mr. McCrosan added: “I have written to DUP Secretary McIlveen outlining a number of emergency proposals that I believe give us the best chance of protecting children and staff. We need to see a back-up list of qualified teachers prepared from the education authorities and the department so they can be deployed to cover classroom shortages and a list Back-up for other education staff including classroom assistants, administrative staff, and cleaners who can assist when needed.

“I am also suggesting an immediate reintroduction of mitigation including cleaning regimens, safe travel to and from school, ventilation, contact tracing, and ensuring current isolation guidelines are followed.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The CEO’s priority remains to keep our children and youth in school. The Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Health (DoH) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) on the approach to COVID in schools, reflecting the impact of the omicron as it becomes more evident.

“The Department of Health has not currently recommended any changes to the DE COVID guidelines, but we will continue to closely coordinate the response if this situation changes.

“Any changes to current guidance will be decided by the Executive, based on prevailing public health advice.

“If the executive agrees to any changes, the guidelines can be quickly reviewed and communicated to schools, parents and pupils.

“Schools should continue to focus on existing mitigations including the use of face coverings in post-primary schools, the use of LFD tests by primary pupils and all staff, maximizing ventilation and a cautious, risk-based approach in deciding whether to hold any gatherings. Large indoor for parents and pupils The vaccination program is available to all staff and all pupils from 12 years of age and over.

“This is a rapidly changing situation and all aspects are being kept under review.”

To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.

Read more related articles Read more related articles.

[ad_2]