Parents worry over impact of latest NI school closures

The mother of a schoolgirl who has already missed two weeks of education through self-isolation has expressed disappointment at the decision to shut schools on Monday.
Stormont Education Minister Peter Weir speaking to the media about the latest coronavirus restrictions during a visit to Lurgan College, Co Armagh.Stormont Education Minister Peter Weir speaking to the media about the latest coronavirus restrictions during a visit to Lurgan College, Co Armagh.
Stormont Education Minister Peter Weir speaking to the media about the latest coronavirus restrictions during a visit to Lurgan College, Co Armagh.

Emily Bell, whose five-year-old girl Caragh is currently self-isolating after someone in her ‘bubble’ at her primary school in Londonderry tested positive for the virus, questioned the wisdom of closing schools before gyms or non-essential shops.

“Caragh is in primary two and she is due to go back to school on Friday after self-isolating and now they’re closing the schools on Monday,” she told the News Letter.

“Why should it be the children that have to miss out on education when so many other things are still open? We were told the schools would be the last thing to close.”

Her cousin, Megan Williams, also has a child in primary school in Co Londonderry.

She said: “I didn’t want the schools to close. My daughter, Isla, has been at Broadbridge Primary School in Eglinton and she has been doing so well since she came back. It was such a long time first time around and I would be worried there could be a detrimental effect.”

She added: “I really hope they don’t extend it past the two weeks.”

The principal of a special educational needs school, meanwhile, has said schools have not been given enough notice to prepare for the impending closure on Monday.

Caroline Clements, principal of Rossmar School in Limavady, told the News Letter: “It’s too short notice. We have put a lot of work and effort into everything. To give the announcement to the principals, with two days’ notice, it doesn’t give us enough time to adequately prepare our children.”

She added: “It’s just such short notice to get the kids ready and that’s not fair on any child. If it stops this virus, well and good, but if it doesn’t?”

Education Minister Peter Weir, who on Monday said “even short-term closures would damage children’s education”, said yesterday that the closures would not extend beyond the two-week period announced yesterday.

Schools are set to reopen on November 2.

“I don’t envisage it going beyond that,” Mr Weir said on a visit to Lurgan College in Co Armagh yesterday.

“I would oppose any attempt to move beyond that and we need to ensure that our children’s future through education is protected.”

The NASUWT teaching union has questioned the length of the closure announced by the Stormont Executive.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “It has been reported that both the chief medical and scientific officers have recommended a four-week closure of schools. The Executive need to publish this advice and the rationale for not following this course of action.”

The Ulster Teachers’ Union described the closures as a “welcome chance for principals and teachers to regroup”.

l Morning View, page 16

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