CORK SCHOOLS ARE PREPARING FOR A RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM MINISTER: IT IS AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY EFFORT TO GET OPEN

Lack of school buses a ‘serious concern’

The entire community must work together to get schools open in the coming weeks according to Minister for Education Norma Foley.

She said it remained the Government’s intention to re-open schools in the coming weeks despite increasing concerns over the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Speaking to The Corkman this week, the Minister praised the efforts of school staff and has warned that, in light of upsurge in COVID cases, now is the time for everyone to work together for the health and well-being of the country and to ensure that children can return to school.

“We must be mindful that it is an entire community effort to keep COVID under control. It is hugely important that schools open and that we stay well and play our part in keeping COVID under control.

“We are renewing a call for everyone to be vigilant. We are trying to get schools open... We need community buy-in.”

Though there has been criticism of some of the measures provided by the Department of Education and, in particular, the funding provided to schools for such measures needed to meet COVID-19 guidelines, Minister Foley insisted that “schools are not being asked to meet the costs”.

Principals and teachers have criticised, in particular, funding for increased cleaning costs, which they believe do not go far enough.

“€160m has already been issued to schools and there is a fund of €375m. There is a very significant minor works grant available. Substantial money has been given [so] everything is covered.

“Schools are not being asked for money,” she said.

Aside from financial aid, she said that practical supports are also available to school staff including back-to-work induction training, which will be released online this week. Schools have been critical of delays to this training, which is coming just days before some schools return.

Minister Foley praised the commitment showed by school staff and school communities to re-open schools across the county and country.

“There is phenomenal work going on from the school community on the ground across the country. There has been magnificent generosity and willingness from schools.”

THE lack of additional buses to allow for children to adhere to social-distancing rules as they return to school this month is causing serious concern for parents.

That’s according to Cork East Labour TD Seán Sherlock, who said he has been fielding numerous calls from anxious parents about the situation, saying the surfeit of buses to cope with social distancing guidelines is “ill advised at best”.

As part of the government’s plan to re-open schools, the Department of Education has said that the School Transport Scheme would “fully operate as normal” but that a number of hygiene requirements would be in place.

Among those are that children using the bus always sit in pre-assigned seats and sit next to either a sibling or another pupil from their class group.

Children must also maintain physical distancing when waiting for a school bus, must use hand sanitiser when boarding the bus and not use school transport if they are showing any COVID-19 symptoms.

However, many politicians have been critical of the fact that there is no explicit requirement to social distance while on the bus, something that Deputy Sherlock said would be virtually impossible in any case due to the lack of available buses.

He pointed out that, as many buses serve numerous schools, it would be far too easy for a COVID outbreak to transfer from one institution to another and then spread across communities.

Deputy Sherlock said that given that there was a significant reduction in the number of tourists visiting the country, there were hundreds of buses and coaches out of commission that could be utilised under the school transport system.

“Yet we are being told that no additional buses are being brought into play to give effect to social-distancing guidelines. I think this is a short term and ill-advised move. I and others have been pushing hard to ensure that every child can feel safe on a bus and every parent does not have to feel anxious about social distancing,” said the Mallow-based TD.

“I think the Government needs to step up to the plate and listen to the concerns of parents on this issue.”

Deputy Sherlock said he was also concerned about the fact that an onus has now been placed on the operators of buses to enforce social distancing guidelines.

“This is unfair and something that needs to be addressed.”