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Teachers have called for an \u201curgent review\u201d in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.<\/p>\nTeachers have called for an \u201curgent review\u201d in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n
It comes following advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which states that children over the age of 12 should wear face masks, and children aged between six and 11 should wear coverings depending on how widespread the transmission of the virus is.<\/p>\n
The Irish National Teachers\u2019 Organisation (INTO) said it has written to Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin seeking clarity on the expert health advice relating to primary and special schools.<\/p>\n
In a statement, INTO said the union sought clarity on a number of issues from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese issues included the wearing of face coverings and the approach to be taken by the HSE in a school in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19,\u201d the union said.<\/p>\n
\u201cINTO has reminded An Taoiseach that, as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight, it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cINTO has noted that the WHO is now recommending that children aged six and older wear face masks and, in that context, calls on government to urgently review the HPSC guidance in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe union was promised in June that this guidance would be updated to reflect the changing situation in the context of Covid-19 epidemiology in Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cA review was also promised in light of the experience of other jurisdictions whose schools reopened in May and June.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes as the phased reopening of schools began today, with many primary and secondary schools reopening this week and next week.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in TD Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire has criticized the Department of Education for what he described as their \u201clack of consideration\u201d of students and staff with underlying health conditions.<\/p>\n
The party\u2019s spokesman for education also claimed that the road map for the reopening of schools and the department\u2019s guidance offers very little direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile small in percentage terms, in real terms many children will see their lives profoundly affected, and they are just as much entitled to a decent education as anyone else,\u201d Mr \u00d3 Laoghaire said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is very little guidance on how they will be supported and it appears that much of the responsibility will fall on special education teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese teachers will be pulled from pillar to post as it stands under the Government\u2019s plans and will be very stretched in attempting to provide education remotely on top of their existing duties.\u201d<\/p>\n