The union which represents teachers in secondary schools has said it will be proposing a delayed and staggered reopening of schools at a meeting on Tuesday with Education Minister Norma Foley.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) which represents 18,500 teachers across the country said it is “deeply concerned” that Minister Foley may reopen schools on Thursday “without putting in place additional measures necessary to safeguard the health and safety of students and school staff.”
In a statement on Monday night, the ASTI said there was “unease” among members and without additional measures, it would “constitute an unacceptable risk in the context of the Omicron wave.”
The statement added: “There is uncertainty regarding the impact in schools of this significantly more transmissible variant.
“The ASTI is calling for updated risk assessments to be presented prior to schools re-opening later this week.”
ASTI President Eamon Dennehy said: “The priority must be that students and school staff can learn and work in an environment where there are appropriate safety measures in place to protect all concerned.”
The ASTI confirmed they will propose a delayed and staggered reopening of schools at a meeting with public health officials and Minister Foley on Tuesday.
They said they will be asking Minister Foley to consider making antigen tests available for all parents and their children to be used prior to going to school as a supplement to the existing testing and tracing regime in second-level schools.
The ASTI will also be calling for the speedy rollout of HEPA filtration units.
The statement added: “It beggars belief that almost two years into this pandemic this basic facility is not in place where necessary.”
The union has said face to face teaching with examination classes should be prioritised.
The ASTI said key concerns include the safety of school communities, staff shortages due to Covid-19, inadequate ventilation and lack of HEPA filtration units, provision of medical grade masks and risks to medically high-risk individuals.
Minister Foley was contacted for comment.
