Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Protect the well-being of children
Today should have been the first day of half-term break but already our children have been out of school for a week, with one more week to go before they return. I do not underestimate the challenges our political leaders face when making so many difficult decisions that affect the lives of so many people, but I do know there can be no more school closures beyond October 30.
We must protect our children’s wellbeing and their right to an education.
Their lives have been flipped upside down in a matter of months.
Returning to school has brought some sense of a “normal routine” for many and schools are to be congratulated for what they have achieved.
We know the risk of this virus seriously affecting children is exceptionally small. They are more likely to suffer serious consequences by not being in school.
Effective education decreases inequalities, increases life chances and improves physical and mental health.
I can, therefore, see no reason why this or any future school break should be extended for any length of time.
The recent figures published by the Public Health Agency concerning the level of infections in schools is of course worrying.
However, we have been repeatedly told the issue in relation to schools is outside the gates. We must tackle that without disrupting our children’s education and we must also get smarter at dealing with identified cases of Covid in schools.
We are beginning to get an understanding of how this pandemic is affecting children following data issued by the Department of Health last week – 75 more children are in care, 113 more are on the child protection register alongside other increases in referrals.
Living through a pandemic and the resulting restrictions has placed significant stress on some families.
Schools are important in preventing and alleviating family stress as well as quickly identifying children who may be vulnerable.
Children with special educational needs and those attending special schools have already been gravely affected by the closure of schools and other vital supports
during the pandemic. Further closures could be catastrophic for these children and their families.
Young people studying for external exams such as GCSES and A-levels also continue to be adversely affected by school closures and periods of selfisolation.
While we wait to see what the contingency plans are in relation to these exams in the Summer, many of our young people are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety.
This is also true for our 10 and 11-yearolds who are being required to sit the transfer tests.
It is simply not fair to expect them to do this when so many of them continue to experience disruption in their education. They have already lost so much learning time since March. Therefore I reiterate my call to all postprimary schools who intend to use the transfer test to admit pupils for their 2021 intake.
Now is the time to choose an alternative process that is in the best interests of our children.
It is becoming increasingly apparent this pandemic will be with us for the rest of the school year. Children and young people’s education and well-being cannot be allowed to suffer further as a result. Therefore, we need:
Rapid testing of pupils and teachers so that any confirmed cases and their close contacts can isolate at home without the need to send entire classes or year groups home
Assurances about the quality of online learning if a pupil contracts the virus or has to self-isolate
Clear monitoring by the Public Health Agency, Department of Education and the Education Authority to ensure all appropriate steps have been taken by schools to minimise the risk of transmission
Action and clear and timely communications to children and families on the implementation of any further measures necessary to limit the spread of the virus. For example, outside school gates and on home-toschool transport
Readily available supply of substitute teachers to replace those who are off or isolating, and
Ongoing release of data from the Public Health Agency and Department of Education in relation to cases in schools and further data to include trends by year group, the number of pupils sent home to self-isolate as a result of a positive case or being identified as a close contact and their level of engagement with learning at home.
What you have read is based on the direct experiences of children and young people throughout Northern Ireland. They continue to live in a world that is very different from the one we promised them. The least we can do is ensure their right to education is no longer disrupted.
We all must make a concerted, collaborative effort to ensure the safe and sustainable opening of our schools. Everyone must continue to play their part in helping to contain the virus.
The Executive must prioritise children’s rights and make sure their education and well-being is at the forefront of any future decisions about interventions to manage the spread of this virus.