Mullan: Minister should not reopen schools as normal

SINN Féin’s Education spokesperson has said Education Minister Peter Weir should heed the call from the Health Minister, parents and teaching unions and abandon plans to reopen schools as normal in January following the Christmas break.

Some post-primary pupils in the North of Ireland are set to move to remote learning for a period in late-January, the Education Minister said on Monday.

It will operate on a temporary basis for pupils in years 8-10 from 25 January for at least two weeks.

Primary schools, special schools and pupils in years 11-14 will remain in school.

But all schools will initially reopen for face-to-face learning when the new term begins next month.

Said the Foyle MLA: “It is becoming increasingly clear that the Education Minister’s determination to reopen schools is not supported with evidence.

“Once again we have seen the failure of the Education Minister to listen to parents, teachers, principals and trade unions and bring forward adequate plans for the safe reopening of schools after Christmas.

“Instead of providing clear answers on what will happen at the start of January – which is just days away – the minister talked about what he intends to do at the end of January.

“The Minister also ignored the reality of the impact of the new strain of COVID-19 on the ability of schools to reopen safely.

“We are in a totally unprecedented health emergency.

“We have never been in a more abnormal time and we cannot approach the education of children as we would in normal times.

“Decisive and effective action is now required,” she added.

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