Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas leis na hAirí agus cuirim fáilte roimh an gcinneadh a rinne an Roinn Oideachais chun na scoileanna a athoscailt an tseachtain seo. Those movements were welcomed by all.

I welcome the certainty the recent decision on the leaving certificate has given to the 60,000 leaving certificate students impacted by the pandemic, school closures and the lack of in-class tuition. Three different choices are being offered to those students, and I anticipate that will cause some organisational and management difficulties in our schools. Has the Department looked at the possibility of recruiting extra teachers temporarily to ensure our students have the optimum benefit in this regard? I say that because many of these students have been adversely impacted. They missed five months of in-class teaching last year and then two months of this academic year. Some level of support must be provided to these students. Has any planning been done in this area?

This development will also create problems by overburdening class teachers who will be trying to deal with three cohorts of students in one classroom. Some students will sit the traditional leaving certificate, some will avail of accredited grades and others will choose a combination of those two options. Stress, difficulties and pressures will ensue. We must ensure that students come out of this experience better than ever and that the disruption they have suffered is made up for insofar as that is possible. What has been done in that regard? Are there plans in place to address any problems which may result?

The report of the joint committee which examined the impact of Covid-19 on primary level education identified a disparity in funding for primary and second level schools and in school leadership posts. What steps are being taken towards ending these disparities? What progress has been made? Has an assessment been made of the short-term funding needs of schools at primary and second levels in respect of allowing the safe and continued reopening of those schools?

My final question focuses on the possibility of future school closures and the likelihood of some students being forced to self-isolate or restrict their movements. Has consideration been given to the development of an online learning programme to include supports for disadvantaged students in accessing digital services and adequate broadband? That is an issue for many communities throughout the State.