Agreement on in-school special education
by Bernard Harbor
 
Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said this would be subject to advice from NPHET, confirming that there are no longer any public health concerns regarding reopening primary schools.
Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said this would be subject to advice from NPHET, confirming that there are no longer any public health concerns regarding reopening primary schools.

Special classes in post-primary schools are to begin reopening later this month after agreement on safety measures was reached between Fórsa, teacher unions and the education department. This follows the start of a phased reopening of in-school services to primary students with special educational needs yesterday (11th February).

 

Fórsa’s education divisional executive met on Wednesday (10th February) and agreed to support the post-primary initiative, which will be implemented on the same terms as were earlier agreed for the primary sector.

 

Over the past few weeks, the union has achieved substantial improvement in Covid-related safety provisions to enable a safe, phased resumption of in-school services. They include:

  • Confirmation of the dates for the phased reopening of special schools and special classes
  • Provisions for high-risk staff including those aged over 60
  • New advice on provision of surgical/medical grade masks to all SNAs and teachers
  • Flexibilities around remote working
  • Measures to protect pregnant SNAs
  • Temporary childcare provisions and supports
  • Confirmation that higher levels of PPE should be used where there is a risk of aerosol spreading procedures
  • Details of student attendance patterns and flexibilities for SNAs to continue to provide remote support to students who cannot attend school
  • Confirmation that parents can avail of a cash grant for travel to school rather than use bus transport to reduce numbers
  • Details on the fresh Covid-19 risk assessment process
  • Confirmation of the enhanced HSE public health supports like testing and tracing
  • Updated information on vaccination schedule.

Discussions on the reopening all primary school year groups are also beginning this week, with a view to seeing all primary year groups back in schools on 1st March.

 

Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said this would be subject to advice from NPHET, confirming that there are no longer any public health concerns regarding reopening primary schools.

 

He said the union would also be looking out for a continued fall in the daily number of reported Covid -19 cases, which are currently well below the numbers reported during last term.

 

The official education department guidance on arrangements for the phased re-opening of primary school-based special education services were published last week following Fórsa’s decision to back the proposals.

 

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