Clare schools are facing the difficult task of implementing social distancing when pupils return later this year.
Figures from the Department of Education show the extent of the problems that will be faced, with nearly a fifth of the county’s primary school students in classes of at least thirty pupils.
The figures, relating to the school year ending in last summer, show that 2,581 primary students in Clare were in class sizes of at least thirty children.
141 of those in classes of at least 35.
32 of Clare’s schools are affected, including Gaelscoil Mhichil Chiosoig in Ennis, where the largest class has 34 pupils, and the smallest has 23.
Principal Donal Ó hAinifein says if the 2-metre social distancing rule is in force when pupils return in September, it will be extremely challenging for the school.
The Minister for Education says he believes schools can re-open safely in September, but the INTO has said large classes may need to be split in half to accommodate students safely.
Any such changes would pose a logistical nightmare for schools and parents, and the Department of Education has yet to issue guidelines to schools on what steps should be taken.
Principal of Scoil na Mainistreach in Quin, Fergal Lynch says they’re preparing as best they can.
Gavin Grace, Clare FM, first for local news.
