DUBLIN: Bringing children back to the classroom for the new school term is a priority and will be possible by September, Education Minister Norma Foley said. Concerns were raised regarding the re-opening of schools in the wake of a rise in COVID-19 cases, but Minister reassured parents that the children will return in September.
Ms Foley said in a statement that she wants to “reassure parents and guardians that plans are in place to support the full reopening of schools in time for the start of the new school year at the end of August 2021”.
She said it is the priority of the Department of Education to support school communities to ensure that this happens in accordance with the planned resumption time. However, the minister said the reopening would take place in consultation with public health and education partners.
Schools will have strict infection prevention and control measures in place, and the Department of Education will continue to assist schools with the additional resources needed for these measures. This is to enable schools run safely and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Minister Foley said: “There is clear evidence from the operation of schools during the past year that schools are low risk environments in terms of the transmission of Covid-19 and that the infection prevention and control measures in place are highly effective in reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19. These measures protect pupils, their parents and school staff.
“At this point in the pandemic and given the ongoing rollout and impact of the vaccination programme it is imperative that children’s education is prioritised and schools are fully reopened at the start of the academic year and remain open throughout the 2021/22 school year.”
The Minister for Education will brief Cabinet tomorrow on additional funding for schools to implement preventive measures.
Kindly click the link below to join WhatsApp group chat to get important news and breaking news from Irish Samachar