Dáil debates

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Covid-19 (Education and Skills): Statements

 

3:20 pm

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé ag roinnt le Deputies Cullinane agus Funchion. I will begin my contribution on the same subject I commenced my contribution to the previous debate we had on this area a little under two weeks ago. At that stage, I told the Minister that I felt it was not good enough that schools had had no communication on reopening from 12 March until that date. Since then, while there has been much discussion on the issue, in some respects we are not much wiser. Confusion reigned last Thursday and Friday when the Minister told Sarah McInerney at 10 a.m. that blended learning would be a reality and later said on "Prime Time" that he would not accept a half return to school. The following day, the Taoiseach reverted to the previous position that not all students would return, at least at the same time. The Minister has now told us that the goal is the maximum return of students.

While it is welcome that we know it is still the plan for children to return to school on the normal date, neither parents nor teachers know exactly what that means. The reality is that we have the most overcrowded classrooms in Europe, with a ratio of 28:1. This will make return to school buildings here much harder than is the case in most states. It is an indictment of Governments of recent years that we are in this position. Parents know this, but they are frustrated and anxious and they want education to return to normality.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work being done by teachers, principals and school staff. It is a fact that students have lost out, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and children with special educational needs. Many of these students are struggling. Owing to the change in routine and a lack of social isolation and stimulation many of them have fallen back. A particular case that has stayed with me, which was shown on RTÉ, is that of Zoe Hynes who had progressed to being able to spoon feed herself but can no longer do so owing to the lack of contact. I note the proposed dedicated debate next week on the July education programme. I look forward to that debate but this issue needs to be a priority for the standard school year as well.

On the reopening of schools, has the Department at this stage communicated directly with all schools on the reopening of school buildings? Will the Minister speak frankly on this occasion and tell us whether the reopening will be full or phased? Parents deserve an honest answer. If the process is to be a phased one then the Minister should say so. I would like a response to those questions, following which I will come back in with more questions.

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