Teachers have warned that they can’t “keep telling children to wear coats and scarves” as windows are kept open in classrooms to stop the spread of Covid-19.
And it's feared that a cold winter snap could now shut down the entire school network as a result.
The situation is set to come to a head as temperatures continue to plummet in the weeks ahead.
But the Department of Education continues to advise teachers to keep ventilating classrooms by opening windows.
The unions are calling for guidance from their Department bosses before it comes to this.
ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland) chief, Kieran Christie, was in Leinster House where he warned: “schools will be closed because it will be too cold.”
And TUI General Secretary, Michael Gillespie, added: “There’s not much point in protecting us from Covid if we all end up with pneumonia in January.”
Last time we had a cold winter we saw thousands of schools shut because public transport grounded to a halt.
But this time teaching unions are warning that, without further resources, orders to keep windows open for Covid ventilation will make it impossible to have schools open if it is freezing outside.
If this happens, ASTI General Secretary, Kieran Christie, says they will have no choice but to close the school gates.
He told the Oireachtas Education Committee: “Teachers and students are there in their coats in many instances…. And schools may have to close.”
Mr Christie added: “If we have a freeze-up like we did a few years ago, last time it was around transport, but this time schools will be closed because it will be too cold.”
The appalling vista would see the country paralysed as kids would be forced to return home like they had to for the first lockdown.
And of course parents would have to arrange alternative childcare - if available - or stay away from work to mind their children like they did last time too.
Sinn Féin education spokesman, Donnchadh O Laoghaire, was one of the TDs listening to the teachers’ reps at the committee in Leinster House and he had sympathy with the plight of teachers.
He said: “It is very difficult for schools to ask children to come in wearing extra clothing, but schools are having problems with ventilation and are seeking extra guidance from the department.”
Labour education spokesman, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, added his support.
He said: “Without schools open our country can’t function…. I’d like you to extend gratitude to the teachers from the people of Ireland."
Meanwhile, the primary school teachers union, INTO, through their General Secretary, John Boyne, demanded a meeting with Minister for Education, who he said they have only met with once since she took office six months ago.
Minister for Education, Norma Foley, was on RTE News at One and she said advice would, and will be available as required.
Ms Foley said: “Guidelines and guidance was issued in August and we engage on an ongoing basis with public health and updated advice is with the education partners and will be issued to schools when appropriate.”
