Principals in Clare say they need clarification from government on its plan to allow schools re-open safely.
The 300 million euro plan will be launched later, just one month out from when schools are due to welcome back students.
Strict cleaning regimes, investment in school buildings and more substitute teachers are among the measures included in the Government’s 300 million euro plan for re-opening at the end of August.
Under the plan, lunch breaks will be staggered, with students only allowed to stay in the school yeard with their classmates.
Primary school students are set to be sectioned off into pods of between four and six children.
While secondary students will be asked to wear masks on school busses, but in the classroom, they’ll be optional.
Ministers will sign off on the plan at cabinet later – Higher Education Minister Simon Harris believes it will meet the standard.
Here in Clare, the government’s proposals are keenly awaited by principals and teachers who will have to enact them.
The Principal of Coláiste Muire, Ennis says her main concern is around the plan to implement one-meter social distancing.
Jean Pound says clarity is needed on a number of other issues too.
The Principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point, meanwhile, says there doesn’t appear to be any logic behind the way in which information has been drip-fed to schools up until this point.
Paul Reidy warns it will take time before schools can pass on information to families, after today’s announcement.
Meanwhile for those with underlying health conditions, teachers and students alike, real concerns are emerging about whether they can return to school at all.
Killaloe student Jade Needham, who has Cystic Fibrosis, says she fears that she and many more won’t be able to return to school as normal.
She wants clarity on how students like her are kept safe from harm.
