Children in the North lead the back-to-school push
YOUNGSTERS across the North returned to classes yesterday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown in March.
Some parents have expressed concerns while teachers’ unions say their members have not been given enough time to respond to new rules that were issued earlier this month.
Justin McCamphill, a national offical with teachers’ union NASUWT, said more than three quarters of teachers feel it is unsafe to return to school.
‘Teachers and school leaders have worked hard to prepare their schools for young people to return, yet 61% of teachers have not been consulted on risk assessments undertaken in their school or college,’ he said.
The North’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride has insisted it is safe to return.
Strict social distancing between children may be relaxed if there are hygiene measures in place.
However, three schools did not reopen following the detection of Covid-19 cases.
Ballyclare Secondary School in Co. Antrim is set to reopen today following a deep clean and 72-hour incubation period.
St Kevin’s Primary School and St Louise’s College, both on the Falls Road in west Belfast, have also delayed their reopening, following positive cases among the school community.
Parents have taken to social media to express concern.
Trevor, a father of five from Co. Down, said he is worried as his wife has been taking immunosuppressants and is labelled as vulnerable.
‘For us, coronavirus is a life or death situation,’ he said.
Other parents have welcomed the return to school.
Maeve Kennedy’s 11-year-old son Jonnie returned to Olderfleet Primary School in Larne.
She said: ‘I think he needed to get back. I have tried to combine remote working and home schooling with his younger brother, so the last six months have been really difficult.’
The North’s Education Minister Peter Weir said: ‘There is evidence of long-term harm to children’s education, life opportunities, mental health and wellbeing from not attending school.’
Another 10 cases of Covid-19 have been reported across the North in the past 24 hours, health officals said yesterday.