As yet they say no decision has been taken. They will take on board the advice of experts, unions, they will be encouraged to follow the science, learn from history and give their decisions in clear, concise English.
But as things stand, the Executive really does find itself caught between the devil of Covid and the deep blue sea of mental health and wellbeing.
The problem is not helped by the fact that, depending on which expert you speak to, the opinion on what is best is different.
Ask Dr Michael McBride, who is on record as saying that a return to school too early will inevitably end with a rise in the R rate, with infections possibly rising by as much as 50%.