Teachers will not agree to social distancing guidelines different from those followed in other workplaces, the head of a teaching union has said.
Education Minister Joe McHugh has said a change to the current two-metre rule would increase the number of primary pupils able to attend.
Having to stay two metres apart would mean primary school students only attending class one day a week, while a reduction to one metre would mean "almost all" primary school pupils would attend school for two days per week, Mr McHugh has suggested.
For secondary school pupils, initial plans would see them attend school for two days per week while they engage in "blended learning" from home on the other days of the week.
However, Mr McHugh said this is a "non-runner" and the Government is still trying to get all pupils back in the classroom.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) president Deirdre McDonald said teachers will not accept schools reopening with different social distancing rules than in other workplaces.
"Our union members will not be satisfied with a differentiated social distancing for our members than the rest of a societal norm," she told Newstalk FM.
"We know the aim is to open schools up fully. We would love to go back where we left off in March, but that's not possible unless they have advice from National Public Health Emergency Team that we are not party to.
"We know exactly the same as the general public in terms of public health advice, so that's the parameters we are working within."
Mrs McDonald accused Mr McHugh of giving conflicting messages on the reopening of schools.
She said: "The minister has actually been speaking outside of two sides of his mouth.
"He's talking about everyone being back to support education - wonderful, absolutely - but also then about supporting a healthy school community."
