Teachers’ unions await public health advice on return to school

A secondary school principal in south Dublin has warned that many schools may not be in a position to reopen next week due to the volume of teaching staff self-isolating for Covid-19 reasons.

All primary and secondary schools are due to reopen on Thursday, January 6th, after the Christmas break. Teachers’ unions contacted by The Irish Times have stated that they will wait for public health guidance next week before deciding what to recommend to their members in this regard.

However, Barbara Ennis, principal of Alexandra College in Dublin 6, said many teaching staff have either been diagnosed with Covid-19 or forced to self-isolate in recent days.

She said she was in favour of schools switching to remote learning until virus levels in the community fall back to a lower level.

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“My sense is that we won’t be able to open due to the number of teachers overcome with it [Covid-19]. Some older teachers with underlying conditions feel that it won’t be safe to return to the classroom,” she said.

“Before Christmas, as a school, we were struggling to keep classes going. I was supervising classes, as was my deputy. We were run off our feet with the level of illness. I can’t see that improving because the number of positive cases is so high.

“I feel unsafe, personally, about going back. Some younger teachers have been hit very badly by it. I would be in favour of switching to remote learning for a period. Transmission levels are very high right now.”

Member concerns

Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) general secretary Kieran Christie said union members had relayed concerns to him about rising case numbers.

“We will be listening closely to the Department of Education and to public health officials and we will see where that brings us,” he said.

“It has been our position throughout that we have been keen to adhere to public health guidance. We will be seeking clear public health guidance on the return to school.”

He said he would not be drawn on speculation as to how teachers would react if the Department of Education were to insist on a return to school on January 6th.

Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary Michael Gillespie described the recent spike in Covid-19 cases as "very concerning", but said much can happen in the next week before schools return.

“We will be meeting with the Department of Education next week to consider what the situation is,” he said.

“We are awaiting to see how the situation is evolving. Whatever public health advises on Tuesday is what our members will follow.

“As we get closer to reopening, we will be speaking to our members to see what their views are on the ground about this. It is very early to say at this stage.”

Catholic Primary Schools Management Association general secretary Seamus Mulconry said: "Like everybody else we are waiting to see what the official decision is.

“My understanding is that the Department [of Education] is committed to school reopening. Until we hear otherwise, that is what we understand the situation to be.”