A winter cold snap could shut the entire school network, it is feared.
Teaching unions are warning they can’t “keep telling children to wear coats and scarves” to stay warm in classes where windows must be opened because of the Covid-19 risk.
The situation is set to come to a head as temperatures are due to plummet in the weeks ahead.
But the Department of Education continues to advise teachers to keep ventilating classrooms by opening windows.
Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland chief, Kieran Christie, 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 bitterly cold winter thousands of schools were shuttered because public transport ground 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 continue when it is freezing outside.
If this happens, Mr Christie said 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.
“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.”
Sinn Fein’s Donnachadh O Laoghaire is calling for guidance for schools and staff on how they are supposed to stay warm while keeping windows open over winter.
He said: “Many older schools have no options when it comes to ventilation except to open doors and windows.
“I have heard of many reports of students being cold in their classrooms and of teachers having to bring hot water bottles into school to keep warm whilst teaching.”
