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Confusion still surrounds the return to school of children with additional needs this week.
The Department of Education had announced they would restart on Thursday following agreement with stakeholders, a claim disputed by staff union Forsa.
Disability groups say the uncertainty about the resumption of classes is “cruel and detrimental”.
Local Family Carers Ireland manager Richie Molloy says clarity is badly needed.
“There seems to have been no agreement from the teachers unions that this was going to go ahead on Thursday. Now our understanding is that there’s another meeting in the morning between the Department and the groups and maybe there’ll be more clarity given then.”
Principals objecting to the Government s handling of the reopening of schools since the Christmas break have refused to send a letter to parents on behalf of Education Minister Norma Foley.
The Department of Education last night issued detailed guidance to schools around re-opening arrangements on which education unions had signed off.
It was widely understood that the release of the guidance meant the way had been cleared for a phased re-opening from next Thursday January 21.
The letter stated that its purpose was “to set out in further detail the framework under which it is intended in-school teaching and learning will take place in special schools, special classes in mainstream primary schools, and for pupils with special educational needs who attend mainstream classes in primary school commencing Thursday 21st January.”
But Fórsa, which represents the SNAs, subsequently issued a statement saying that a number of issues that remained to be resolved included the safety of SNAs at high risk of Covid infection, and childcare arrangements.
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A Tipperary carers advocate is welcoming the announcement that special needs students in primary school will return to the classroom next week.
Special schools, special needs classes within primary schools and vulnerable students with complex needs will be allowed to return to in-class teaching next week.
It’s likely to be done on a staggered basis, starting on Thursday, in consultation with individual schools.
South Tipp regional lead with Family Carers Ireland, Richie Molloy says it’s a welcome development.
“We certainly welcome the announcement and even though it’s going to be Primary School children first of all at least it’s a start.”