More than 280 primary school pupils in the north west were sick with Covid 19 between Nov. 1st and 16th.
That was made up of 205 pupils in Donegal, 54 in Sligo and 22 in Leitrim.
Out of the total number of pupils in each county, the percentage sick was 3.2% in Donegal, 3.5% in Leitrim and 1.7% in Sligo.
The figures comes from a survey carried ou by the Irish National Teachers Organisation over two days between November 16th to 18th.
Teachers were also affected — 600 were absent throughout the country due to Covid-19 in a quarter of primary schools in the first two weeks of the month.
500 trainee-teachers a week are to be made available to substitute classes in an effort to relieve pressure due to absenteeism.
A meeting takes place today between the union and the Department of Education on the possibility of allowing more student teachers take over classes.
INTO general secretary, Donegal native John Boyle, says allowing student teachers to take over classes would help:
