It’s claimed significant investment will be required to ensure that levels of transmission of covid-19 can be be kept under control in schools.
Teachers unions and the Education Minister are appearing before the Oireachtas Education Committee today.
Concern has been raised that some of the good work carried out by teachers and students to reduce transmission of covid-19 may be undone over the winter months, if there is not significant investment in school buildings.
The Oireachtas Education Committee is meeting with the Education Minister and representatives from teachers unions today to discuss schools safety.
The TUI has told the committee that some schools aren’t complying with Covid-19 guidelines, due to difficulties associated with older buildings.
Assistant General Secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland, Colm Kelly has acknowledged that the government has supported schools, but says they’ll now have to do so again to deal with this issue
There have been 599 cases of covid-19 within the school community, and figures yesterday showed a continued decline in the number of outbreaks associated with schools.
Past President of the INTO, Corofin Ccouncillor Joe Killeen says schools are currently controlling transmission, but he agrees that investment is needed, saying a lack of ventilation systems in schools could pose a serious problem over the winter months.
Meanwhile, it’s claimed school staff and students should be prioritised once a Covid vaccine is available.
Two vaccines have proven to be 95 per cent effective in trials so far, with Ireland set to get over 2 million doses of the Pfizer jab once it’s approved for distribution.
John Boyle from the INTO says teachers and students should be among the first to get it.
