Dr. Joseph Duffy:

One of the things that we have noticed, which I commented on earlier, was that we have had a significant increase in teachers accessing e-learning courses in Jigsaw, looking at mental health literacy and promoting mental health in school, but particularly around self care for teachers. We have noticed that has continued across the summer. We are working with schools but we are particularly working with the Educational Support Centres in Ireland, ESCI, and developing webinars for teachers to support them in the transition to the return to school and supporting pupils in the school. It is also about creating an environment where we have a conversation about returning to school, where it is not just about focusing on exams but also about focusing on the young people and their experience from early March, before St Patrick’s Day, not having that support from their peers or teachers. It is about looking at that as a transition rather than thinking about how we get right back into the curriculum. One of the things we will have consultation about with teachers and with schools at the moment is the timing of supports and how we manage that.

Social distancing is a big issue. We are looking now to see how much support we can continue to put online for teachers. That is something that has really been picked up. Again, as has been echoed this morning, it is about the collaboration and the networks, particularly between ESCI, the Department, the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and others. A great amount of work is happening there which need to be more co-ordinated to ensure that schools do not feel overwhelmed. It is also important that they know where the right and valuable support is.