Reopening Post Primary Schools | 2021
Until the vaccine is rolled out for COVID-19, each community is going to need support in charting a path to safely and responsibly reopen schools crucial to the well-being and economic vitality of our communities.
Your government will be with you every step of the way.
1
March 2021
Special schools at 100% capacity
Junior and senior infants, 1st and 2nd class to return to school
Final year Leaving Certificate classes to return to school
8
March 2021
Resumption of the ECCE programme and return to school of ECCE-age children
15
March 2021
3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class return to school at primary level
5th year post-primary students to return to school
29
March 2021
Early learning and care, and school-age childcare services to reopen
12
April 2021
1st to 4th years post-primary return to school
30
Extended to 30June 2021
Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme
COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit
Covid Restrictions Support Scheme
Suspension of redundancy provisions
Commercial rates waiver
COVID-19 Full Resources | Time Stamped
A COVID-19 Response Plan is designed to support the staff and Board of Management (BOM)/Education Training Board (ETB) in putting measures in place that aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the school environment.
The COVID-19 Response Plan details the policies and practices necessary for a school to meet the government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol.
The Department of Education plan for school reopening that will aim to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in the school environment.
Supporting Services and Agencies
Hygiene and cleaning in schools
The Department of Education has provide additional funding to schools to support the enhanced cleaning required to minimise the risks of COVID-19.
Details of the funding supports will be provided to schools by way of circular and will be updated as required.
Staff Duties
Staff have a statutory obligation to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of their colleagues and other parties.
The cooperation and assistance of all staff is essential to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 and to protect health and safety as far as possible within the school. All staff have a key role to play.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
Minister for Education
- Email: Minister@education.gov.ie
Child Protection:
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
- Email: neps@education.gov.ie
Control Measures
One of the key messages to manage the risks of COVID-19 is to do everything practical to avoid the introduction of COVID-19 into the school.
If an infection is not introduced it cannot be spread.
The risk of spreading the infection once introduced exists in all interpersonal interactions;
- student to student
- teacher to teacher
- teacher to student
and must be managed in all settings.
School Covid-19 Policy
A COVID-19 policy outlines the commitment of the school to implement the plan and help prevent the spread of the virus.
The policy will be signed and dated by the chairperson and principal of the Board of Management (BOM) or Education and Training Board (ETB) and brought to the attention of the staff, students, parents and others.
Wellbeing Advice and Resources during Covid-19
The Department of Education NEPS psychologists have developed the following advice and resources for parents, students and school staff to support them during COVID-19.
Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme
The department recognises the need for school staff wellbeing and collective self-care. Support for school staff wellbeing will be provided by Department Support Services including the PDST and CSL, as well as by the HSE’s Health Promotion Team.
An Occupational Health Strategy is in place as a supportive resource for staff in schools. The aim of the Occupational Health Strategy is to promote the health and wellbeing of employees in the workplace, with a strong focus on prevention.
The Occupational Health Strategy comprises the Employee Assistance Service and the Occupational Health Service. The Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is provided by Spectrum.Life under the logo of ‘Wellbeing Together: Folláinne Le Chéile’.
FEATURED
Safety First
Planning & Preparing for Safe Return to Post Primary
The Board of Management/Education Training Board aims to facilitate the resumption of school-based teaching and learning and the return to the workplace of staff.
Dealing with a Suspected Case of COVID-19
Staff or pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of COVID-19. The following outlines how a school should deal with a suspected case that may arise in a school setting.
