Essential workers home schooling special needs children

A NORTH WEXFORD woman who has a child with special needs has criticised teachers unions for lobbying to keep schools closed, saying nurses risk their health every day, so why shouldn’t teachers.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘My husband and I are both essential workers. We have to try and to all our son’s home-schooling and do work with no childcare. We are very mad at the government for allowing the teachers unions to do this.’

The woman said there were no Covid-19 cases in her son’s school during the last Level 5 period of restrictions.

‘It’s just ridiculous. We have to try to do everything and help him with all of his needs. He likes to be in his little pod in school. We are beyond distraught.’

She said her son has been left isolated because he is an only child and family living nearby fall into the risk category.

‘So school is crucial. Even on Christmas Day when he got his Santa presents he was looking for school. Whenever his routine is broken he gets upset. Going into the first lockdown he was on a two word level but his words went completely. He totally withdrew and had no activities. He became more introverted and how he isn’t interested in playing or doing anything.’

Both parents are struggling to find time to devote to educating their son.

‘ There are big fights trying to get some school-work done. He has no interest in doing homework. The last time after the lockdown we got emails [from school] that he wasn’t settling back in.’

The hands-on nature of caring for a child with special needs was laid bare by the woman, who expressed how furious she is with schools remaining closed this week.

‘Our feeling is if nurses and doctors did what teachers are doing then none of us would be working at all. Some of us have to work. They are getting full wages for getting parents to do their work and having to deal with kids.’

She said her husband and her were informed by their child’s school that school was going ahead.

‘I got a call at 11.15 a.m. asking if he wanted to go back to school. I told him. He was so happy I still haven’t told him he can’t go back. It’s like a breach of trust between us,’ she explained.

‘Doctors have to deal with patients who have Covid. I have to wear appropriate masks and sanitise. I look after myself. I don’t have house parties or go to them and I don’t go places unless I have to.

‘I just think the government has bowed down to teacher’s interests. We have to live and work with Covid.

‘We are all paying so why can’t they pay? It’s not fair on parents to try to deal with all of this.’

WE HAVE TO TRY TO DO EVERYTHING AND HELP HIM WITH ALL OF HIS NEEDS. HE LIKES TO BE IN HIS LITTLE POD IN SCHOOL. WE ARE BEYOND DISTRAUGHT