Martin: Schools back by end of August
»»Taoiseach pledges to get ALL kids back in September
MICHEAL Martin last night pledged to get children back into schools by the end of August – despite teachers claiming it won’t be safe.
In his first TV interview since becoming Taoiseach he said: “The development of any child in my view is the key issue for us and for me as Taoiseach.
“Children need to get back into schools in terms of their life chances and development. Their life chances will be irreparably repaired if we do not have schools opening in August.
“We want to reopen schools as fully as possible to normal at the end of August, both primary and second level.
“That is the focus, target and that’s what we’re aiming to do.
“It’s extremely important for young people and for children that that happens.”
However, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland has warned “the classrooms will be empty” as under current safety rules the educational professionals won’t be going to work. The latest advice is for one-metre distancing in classrooms from September.
But ASTI said this will mean parttime students because they won’t be able to fit them all in on a single day. Union reps were appearing before the Oireachtas special committee on coronavirus.
General secretary Kieran Christie added: “When you have regard to all the circumstances, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion there will still remain a necessity for a blended learning model of some sort upon reopening of our schools and some phasing of the return to school may be necessary.
“Given the fact we have among the most overcrowded classrooms in the OECD countries and the requirement for a social distancing regime, it seems to us no matter how creative schools are in using their available rooms and facilities, you simply will not be able to accommodate everyone on a full-time basis.
“Even a one-metre social distancing provision is an issue for big classes.
“There is the additional consideration that a number of staff members and students, because of their vulnerabilities, may still have to work