Abandon uniforms as part of schools’ virus hygiene strategy, urge principals
Call for ‘f lexibility’ when schools reopen so families are not overburdened
ABANDONING uniforms for the 2020/21 school year should be considered as part of guidance for reopening schools in September, according to Alan Mongey, President of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals.
Ensuring uniforms are washed daily during the pandemic may cause unnecessary stress and expense on parents when schools reopen. But easing clothing restrictions could help maintain good hygiene while also ensuring families aren’t overburdened.
Speaking with the Irish Mail on Sunday, Mr Mongey said: ‘There has been some discussion about this and it’s something that needs to be considered and could certainly inform part of the guidance that will be issued in relation to return to school hygiene practices.’
The focus of discussions between interest groups and the Department of Education has been on the development of guidelines for primary schools. Mr Mongey said that specific guidance on issues like the wearing of school uniforms and other health and hygiene practices will be developed over the coming weeks.
In relation to the reopening of crèches and playschools, the HSE published the Infection Prevention and Control guidance for settings providing childcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. It issued specific recommendations on laundering clothes in instances where a child is diagnosed with Covid-19.
It states that laundry, for example from cots, should be washed at the highest temperature that the material can stand. Items can be tumble dried and ironed using a hot setting/ steam iron if required. Household/ rubber gloves can be worn when handling dirty laundry and items should be held away from your clothing. The gloves can be washed prior to removal and dried for reuse. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after removing the gloves. If gloves are not available, hands should be washed thoroughly after handling laundry.
ASTI president Deirdre McDonald told the MoS, some schools may consider relaxing school uniform policies this year: ‘A school’s policy on school uniforms is determined by the school board of management in consultation with parents. The ASTI believes that best practice is for a school’s BoM to consult parents on a regular basis in relation to school uniforms. Many schools do this and changes in uniform policies in recent years have included the introduction of some generic school uniform items. It may be that some schools will favour a relaxation of some uniform rules during the pandemic.
‘However, school uniforms are only one aspect of return-to-school costs for parents. The long-term underfunding of Irish second level schools means that many essential school costs – such as stationery and education materials – must be funded by parents or from schoolorganised fundraisers. Last year, the OECD study Education at a Glance ranked Ireland 35th out of 35 countries in terms of the amount invested by our Government in second-level students as a percentage of the country’s GDP. This is simply not acceptable.’
Irish Primary Principals’ Network CEO Pairic Clerkin, said that schools need to be flexible on their policies on school uniforms if specific guidance on clothing is issued.
He told the MoS: ‘As we plan for the reopening of schools we need to ensure we build confidence. I haven’t seen specific guidance on uniforms and how often they will need to be washed, but there has to be flexibility.
‘So, if we do see advice suggesting that children’s clothes have to be washed on a daily basis, I think that’s an issue to be dealt with at a local level, a board of management will look at when they have the full guidance from the authorities and consulting parents too.’
A Department of Education spokesman said the department will be engaging with stakeholders on public health advice and planning over the coming weeks.
‘We need to ensure we build confidence’