The head of the teachers’ union has warned that many schools will have to temporarily close for some or all children in the coming weeks.
Dr Graham Gault, Acting Director of NAHT (NI), spoke as students begin returning to class this week amid an increase in cases of Omicron variants in Northern Ireland.
Stormont ministers were told Omicron now accounts for about 90% of Covid-19 cases here when they met last Thursday.
Many schools will start returning from Christmas break on Tuesday, but it will likely be a late start as others choose to resume classes at the end of the week.
As an important easing measure ahead of the new deadline, the Education Department said schools are encouraged to require all staff and primary school students to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before returning to school.
Dr Gault told Belfast Live: “As we begin what is sure to be another very challenging term, our school leaders continue to have the utmost confidence in their staff and their youth.
“However, there is little trust in those who do not deliver what school leaders need to keep our schools safe.”
He added: “Administrators are constantly concerned about the risks of transmission of the coronavirus into our schools, as it is not important to trace contacts between schoolchildren and current guidelines on isolation, especially family contacts, still contribute to the risk.
Additionally, with such a high rate of community resettlement and a significantly increased rate of absenteeism, the NAHT (NI) expects many schools to temporarily close for some or all of their children in the coming weeks.
We are very disappointed with this, because we think it was avoided.
“We have always asked management to develop contingency plans to increase staff pressure, but despite the potentially large number of qualified teachers working from home in various educational institutions, not much has been done to support their temporary relocation.”
“School leaders find government statements about the priority of education to be particularly shameful, as the government itself has led the removal of hundreds of millions of pounds from the school budget over the past 10 years,” Dr. Gault said.
NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union is also calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to take urgent action to reduce the potential risks of delays in higher education.
(Photo: Justin McCampfield)
Justin McKimville, the national representative for Northern Ireland at NASUWT, said its members want to offer face-to-face training in the new semester.
“We urge the executive branch to immediately intervene in schools to ensure their safety,” McCampfield said.
“Over the new year, we’ve seen a significant increase in cases with the Omicron option, so expect significant delays for schools when they return this week.
“Unfortunately, this means that many classes and groups will be sent home.”
Pupils at St Cecilia’s College in Derry were due to return to school on Wednesday, but its principal, Martin Mulhern, admitted he was “worried” when he entered the new course.
Ms Mulhern said she would prefer to return late after Christmas and New Years, and hoped students and staff would be “better prepared”.
“As a manager, I have a responsibility to ensure the safety of staff and young people,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster program on Monday.
“For me, getting everyone back to school without further mitigation could be a potential recipe for disaster.”
On Monday, the Education Authority (EA) called on parents to take “alternative relocation measures” as workforce disruptions due to Covid-19 could affect its services at any time.
An EA spokesperson said, “Our drivers and companions look forward to getting back on the road on Tuesday, January 4th.
“The current high transmission rates of Kovid-19 could affect our workforce and could disrupt school transportation services in the coming days.
“We will do everything we can to make changes to the service via our website www.eani.org.uk/news/transport-updates – however, as some delays may occur at very short notice, we advise parents to obtain alternate means of transport as well. .
“Thank you for your understanding and continued cooperation, it is greatly appreciated.”
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Source: Belfastlive
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