Two-thirds of parents, students and teachers do not believe schools are safe, survey shows

A SURVEY of parents, students and teachers has shown that nearly two-thirds do not believe the Government’s repeated mantra that ‘schools are safe’.

The survey of 2,870 members of school communities across the country was carried out by the Facebook group, Alerting Parents of Outbreaks in Schools Ireland, to get a sense of how its members feel the Covid-19 crisis is being handled in their schools.

The results demonstrated that school communities do not believe that school buildings are safe for students and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a whole, only 17% (440) of respondents reported being confident that schools were safe. A total 64% (1,680) said they did not feel schools were safe and 19% (510) said they weren’t sure.

The report also found that over half of respondents (56%) were not told of cases in their school through the HSE or the school but through other means.

When asked if the Department of Education would take on the information in the survey to alleviate the concerns of parents, teachers and students, a spokesman said: ‘The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that schools in themselves are low-risk environments and that

a gradual phased reopening can occur at this time.

‘Public Health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe. They emphasise that all measures must be followed carefully by students, staff and parents.

‘Schools are supported in connection with the communications necessary to facilitate contact tracing, and parents, students and members of the school community are informed where it is necessary to do so to support public health.

‘Enhanced Public Health schools’ teams are available to fully support schools and full contact tracing and bulk fasttrack testing within the school setting is in place as schools reopen. Public Health provide the Department with a weekly report.’