Vaccinations key to schools success
by Bernard Harbor
 
The union’s Education Division Executive said it was disappointed and concerned that no progress had been made on prioritising vaccinations for staff working in special education, where social distancing is effectively impossible.
The union’s Education Division Executive said it was disappointed and concerned that no progress had been made on prioritising vaccinations for staff working in special education, where social distancing is effectively impossible.

Fórsa has supported the phased reopening of schools, as set out in the Government’s ‘Covid-19 resilience and recovery’ plan so long as it continues to be endorsed by public health experts.

 

But the union said continued progress on the reduction of Covid-19 transmission, including the prioritisation of vaccinations for special education staff, was needed to underpin the plan and keep schools open.

 

The resilience and recovery plan, published on Tuesday (23rd February), sets out a phased return to schools after unions and education department officials agreed safety measures. Leaving Cert students will return to school next Monday (1st March), along with primary school children from junior infants to second class.

 

Subject to ongoing reviews, the remaining primary school students will go back to school on 15th March, along with fifth-year secondary school students. The rest will return on 12th April, after the Easter holidays.

 

Fórsa, which represents over 12,000 SNAs along with school secretaries and caretakers, said schools would need continued public health support, with contact tracing and testing to swiftly identify instances of in-school transmission.

 

The union welcomed the mandatory use of medical-grade face masks for SNAs working closely with students and new protections for pregnant staff, which are to remain in place after school services are fully resumed.

 

But the union’s Education Division Executive said it was disappointed and concerned that no progress had been made on prioritising vaccinations for staff working in special education, where social distancing is effectively impossible.

 

The executive noted that prevailing public health advice from NPHET says risks to staff and students can be successfully managed through the mitigation measures agreed with Fórsa and other unions. These measures, which include important protections for SNAs aged over 60 and those with high-risk medical conditions, will continue in both primary and post-primary settings until schools in each sector are fully open.

 

Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said the plan could succeed if there was continued progress on reducing the transmission of Covid-19 and daily case numbers.

 

“With the stronger protections we’ve agreed, and following the experience reopening of special schools and special classes, Fórsa can support the phased and cautious reopening of other elements of the schools system leading to a full reopening as soon as this is recommended by public health advice,” he said.

 

The union is keeping the situation under review, taking account of the level of in-school transmission each week.

 

It’s never been more important – or easier– to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE. 

LikeLike (0) | Facebook Twitter