Lisnagelvin primary school principal , Colin Torrens’
Colin Torriesn of Lisnagelvin Primary school was speaking after the Public Health Agency (PHA) said schools in the North of ireland were not a major source of Coronavirus tramission.
The comments were made in a PHA presentation to education officials and some school principals last week.
It said that school transmission “does occur but tends to be small scale”.
Derry GP Dr Tom Black said primary schools could reopen on March 8 but said it would be a “big ask” to reopen secondary schools on that date.
Principals across the North of Ireland are now eager for the return of pupils and teachers to the classroom
Said Colin Torrens: “Staff are on their knees at the moment.
“Online learning takes an awful lot more preparation. My staff are working from 8:30 am right through.
“Some are telling me they are still working at midnight.”
He added: “Staff want back to school because the pressure they are under at the moment is tremendous, and I think our children need to get back to school.”
Lisnaglevin Primary School
The National Education Union has previously said that a full return to school by all pupils “may not be possible for some time”.
The NI Executive is expected to discuss the return of pupils to schools at their meeting this Thursday, February 18.
But it is not clear if ministers will make a final decision on an March 8 return at that point.
