ACCS Info Bulletin 01/21
Follow Up to ACCS Briefing Session on Thursday 7th January
It was great to see you all yesterday at the ACCS briefing session regarding the reopening of schools following the Christmas holiday period. We sincerely hope that 2021 will be a fruitful year and extend every best wish to you all.
Public Health Guidance – Thursday 7th January
As indicated at yesterday’s meeting ACCS has since attended a briefing with Public Health representatives facilitated by the Department of Education. Public Health was represented by Dr. Kevin Kelleher, a member of NPHET, and Dr. Abbey Collins who you will have previously met during the webinar series for school leaders hosted last term.
The advice from the Public Health representatives was very clear and definitive. While no place can be totally risk free, schools remain safe environments with the mitigation measures currently in place appropriate. They went on to confirm Public Health supports the Government proposal for a limited reopening of schools to include access for those attending Special Schools or Special Classes and final year Leaving Certificate students. They articulated that Public Health deems schools with current mitigation arrangements in place to be safe environments for the return of all students to school. In restricting the opening to Special Schools and Special Classes and to Leaving Certificate students (3 days per week), the Government proposal sought to reduce mobility in the general population
NPHET and Public Health continue to hold the clear view that schools are safe places, as outlined in the letter to Government from the CMO, published on 7th January.
The concerns raised by ACCS school leaders were presented at the meeting as were those of the other management bodies and union groupings present. Both Dr. Kelleher and Dr. Collins took time to listen and address the Public Health concerns raised. The Department committed to engaging to address other organisational concerns and those concerns relating to implementation of the Government decision.
7th January, 2021 - schools will regrettably remain closed to students from Monday 11th January.
Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD has confirmed that all schools will regrettably remain closed to students from Monday 11th January.
“It is with regret that I announce that, despite the confirmation by Public Health that schools remain safe, that children in special schools and special classes and Leaving Certificate students will not be extended in-person learning,” said Minister Foley.
As of Monday 11th January, students, including children with special needs, will resort to a programme of remote learning in line with the rest of the Government restrictions.
ACCS advises SNAs should also be available for work to support the care needs of students on Monday 11th January.
Consultation with the Education Stakeholders Friday 8th January 2021
In what can be described as a positive, helpful and progressive meeting attended by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, the Minister asked two specific questions of all stakeholders present:
1. Immediate measures that needed to be put in place to meet the needs of students in Special Classes and Special Schools to ensure meaningful engagement in the continuation of their education.
2. The organisation and running of the conventional Leaving Certificate state examinations.
A statement will issue regarding this meeting from the Department of Education. It is, however, safe to say that all present expressed a wish to see students return to schools in a safe environment at the earliest opportunity. It was also established that it is a shared objective to host the conventional Leaving Certificate state examinations. The Minister did stress that this shared objective must be accompanied by actionable commitments.
The Department has committed to engaging with stakeholders to ensure a return to school at the earliest opportunity for students with priority given to those in Special Schools and Special Classes and final year Leaving Certificate students in line with Public Health guidance.
During the meeting it was also confirmed:
School buildings and facilities will remain available and open to ensure the delivery of essential educational services.
Those engaged in the delivery of educational services will be deemed essential workers and will be prioritised for childcare access under the Government scheme.
All teachers are required to be available and participate in remote/online tuition as of from Monday 11th January.
Updates will issue from the SEC regarding project submission dates etc. in the coming week. The SEC are also hosting a consultation with stakeholders in the coming week.
Updated guidance on provision for students will be issued.
Essential School Building Projects/Works
The Department has issued the following clarification regarding essential school building projects/works.
Attached is the HEALTH ACT 1947 (SECTION 31A - TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS) (COVID-19) (NO. 10) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2021, which was signed by the Minister for Health last night.
Section 6 of the Regulations outlines the following exceptions to the closure of construction from 6pm tonight:
(b) the construction or development of essential educational facilities at primary and post-primary level, including school building projects, which will provide additional capacity for students or involve essential maintenance or refurbishment works in support of the continued provision of education;
(c) certain essential projects relating to the construction and development at Technological University Dublin Campus Grangegorman;
Based on this the Department of Education confirms that in line with the Government decision and provided for under S.I. No. 4 of 2021, that the construction or development of essential educational facilities at primary and post-primary level, including school building projects, which will provide additional capacity for students or involve essential maintenance or refurbishment works in support of the continued provision of education may continue.
As information becomes available we will continue to keep you updated. In the meantime, we remain available to field any of your queries and hope you have a restful weekend.
Is mise, Le mór mheas,
John Irwin, GENERAL SECRETARY
Addendum: