Teachers fearful ahead of schools reopening
A local INTO member says many teachers are ‘fearful’ when it comes to schools reopening tomorrow after the Christmas holidays. The Education Minister says ‘significant resources’ are being put in place to ensure schools stay open. The return to the classroom will go ahead tomorrow despite concerns of staff shortages…
Confusion surrounds Minor Works Grants
It’s remains unclear if yesterday’s minor grant funding announced for schools will be used to install air filter systems. Students and teachers are currently working in class-rooms that are forced to open windows as a preventative measure to stop the spread of Covid-19. Yesterday €45 million will be…
Student Teachers put on the green jersey and head for class
Student teachers will be deployed to fill vacant teaching roles in schools across the north west. As many as 4,000 student teachers will serve as substitute teachers all over the country from as early as next week. A union representing primary school teachers says students are putting on…
Primary Education System creaking at the seams under Covid strain
A North West teaching official is warning that soaring Covid-19 transmission rates and a substitution crisis has primary schools ‘creaking at the seams. A survey of around a quarter of primary schools has found that 605 teachers were Covid-positive in the first two weeks in November. In almost…
Teachers terrified by rising Covid numbers
A North West teaching union official says members of his union are ‘terrified’ about the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in school children. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation says cases have increased from 3,000 to 8,000 in the space of five weeks. It comes as the Department considers…
Smaller class sizes welcomed by local teaching official
A Donegal teacher and General Secretary of a major teachers union has welcomed steps in yesterday’s budget aimed at reducing class sizes. 9.2 billion euro will be spent on education next year, which will include employing 1,165 extra special needs assistants and 980 additional teachers. 4 million euro…
Concerns raised over new contact tracing rules in schools
A Donegal teacher and General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation is warning health officials in relation to the new contact tracing rules which have been introduced for schools. From yesterday primary school children will not have to restrict their movements if they come into contact with someone that…