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A distance of at least one meter should be maintained between pupils when schools reopen in September, the Department of Education has said.<\/p>\nA distance of at least one meter should be maintained between pupils when schools reopen in September, the Department of Education has said.<\/p>\n
The recommendation will not be a prerequisite for younger children in the earlier years of primary education because they are unlikely to maintain it.<\/p>\n
Where possible, work-stations should be allocated consistently to the same staff and children rather than having spaces that are shared, the official guidance said.<\/p>\n
The document said: \u201cPhysical distancing of two metres where possible or at least one meter should be maintained between desks or between individual students or staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn future planning, consider moving to individual desks and chairs for students.\u201d<\/p>\n
The risk of spread of infection may be reduced by structuring pupils and their teachers into class bubbles which stay apart from other classes as much as possible and discrete groups or \u201cpods\u201d within those class bubbles, to the extent that this is practical, the department\u2019s advice said.<\/p>\n
It added: \u201cThe aim of the system within the school, is that each class grouping mix only with their own class from arrival at school in the morning until departure at the end of the school day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pods within those class bubbles is an additional measure, to limit the extent of close contact within the class bubble.\u201d<\/p>\n
Education Minister Norma Foley said the interim recommendations will inform the development of clear guidelines for implementation in schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all want to support the education system so that we can welcome our pupils and staff across our school communities back into a safe environment later in the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to work with the public health experts over the course of the summer to update the interim advice as necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
She acknowledged the hard work that school communities have put in over the past number of months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that the planning work being done and the clarity that we provide today will enable each member of the school community to get a well-deserved break and rest during the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n