Schools will remain open at level 5 too! Parents and teachers raises concerns

Parents and teachers are worried about the decision to reopen schools despite the imposition of Level 5 restrictions in Ireland in the wake of the Covid expansion.

ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said the decision to reopen schools despite strict restrictions was causing fear among students and teachers.

He said the union was in touch with the education minister to provide the necessary support to schools if the country enters the Level 5 regulations.

Schools reopened after the lockdown when the Covid outbreak was significantly reduced. But the current situation is not like that. Covid cases are on the rise every day.

He said the government should clarify what arrangements will be made available for schools in case of Level 5 restrictions and whether such arrangements will be adequate.

He said the decision to reopen the schools should be taken by voting as the situation was likely to worsen.

At the same time, Robert Troy, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said that the government’s decision to keep the school open is for the welfare of the children and their mental development and that the government attaches great importance to keeping the schools open.

Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy raised the concerns behalf of all the teaching staffs that the country is moving towards a stage where there is a widespread debate among the people as to why only some have to work and others do not.

He said the education department should ensure that steps are taken to address the concerns of teachers, students and parents when schools open.

Carthy said the government should also communicate with school authorities on a daily basis if they going strong with its decision to reopen schools.

At the same time, Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall said there was a communication problem between the government and teachers. She also said that the decision for strike by the teachers was a shocking one.

She warns that in the current situation, there is no need to worry about keeping schools open, but to be aware of the risks.

At the same time, the Department of Education said in a statement that it is in constant contact with educational partners, including teacher unions, regarding the safe opening of schools.