Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

The Impact of Covid-19 on Primary and Secondary Education: Motion

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Aisling DolanAisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Foley, to the Seanad. This is our first motion of 2022. I also welcome Deputy Kehoe from the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

This report deals specifically with impacts during the first part of lockdown. This report was produced this time last year, on 14 January 2021. It refers to the impact on our children and young people in primary and secondary schools. I acknowledge the work that has been done in the Minister's office and the Department of Education in the nearly two years that have passed since March 2020 to allow students to study from home and to prioritise the opening of schools, where possible. I acknowledge our teaching staff, principals, caretakers and everyone else who helped schools to reopen and maintain safe social distancing. However, we know that absences from school have been detrimental for our children. There have been challenges in terms of the changes in routine for all children, including those in special needs schools.

In the Minister's contribution to the Seanad, she mentioned three modules before she spoke to the recommendations of the report. I welcome the €122 million of capitation funding that was made available to primary and post-primary schools, as the Minister mentioned. She also talked about face masks and their importance in reducing the spread of Covid-19.

Communications arose as an issue on the most recent occasion the Minister was in the Seanad Chamber with regard to the tenor of some of the circulars that were provided to principals. We would like that to be improved within the Department in the year ahead if further circulars are required.

The Minister also mentioned ventilation and the numbers of CO2 monitors that have gone out to schools. She also spoke about the minor works grant for primary schools and special schools, totalling €45 million. Of course, that funding is absolutely crucial because the numbers of students in some of our primary schools are getting higher, especially in some rural areas, at a time when we do not have enough teachers to meet the demand.

The Minister also spoke about substitute cover and I would like to learn a little more about how that process is working now at primary school level, considering the Covid-related absences we are seeing. She mentioned previously that we are going to be bringing in final year students to give support in that regard. She has also referenced school transport.

The Minister also spoke about the notice we are going to get about the leaving certificate. I understand well the challenges we have in terms of the lack of data for the cohort who will sit their junior certificate examinations this year. We need greater choice for students. The Minister mentioned that the approach will be similar to that taken last year in terms of the questions on the examination paper. However, we need information about the assessment arrangements and so on as soon as possible. It is causing distress and anxiety for students, particularly where I come from. I regularly meet students who tell me that.

Senator Malcolm Byrne mentioned funding. I was pleased that over 6,000 places for students were provided within our higher education institutes over the past two years to account for the accredited grading system. It is going to be very challenging to provide something like that again this year. Over 6,000 places have been provided by our higher education institutes and by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

The issue of bullying was one of the recommendation points I wanted to bring up and the Minister has referenced it. She mentioned the PDST technology and education team. My question relates to FUSE, the evidence-based programme from Dublin City University, DCU. We heard from representatives of FUSE, the anti-bullying and online safety programme, at the education committee on numerous occasions last year. FUSE had a very strong programme. Is investment going to be rolled out for that particular programme, particularly at regional level? It has engaged with only 4,000 schools at secondary school level. Barnardos' Roots of Empathy programme is another strong programme. Are supports available for Barnardos in its efforts to address bullying at primary school level?

One of the other recommendations was gathering data. The Minister has spoken about reviews that will be done in the Department and, of course, I appreciate the value of reviews and gathering evidence. However, we also need to gather data from our schools on the incidences of bullying in those schools. The committee Chairperson, Deputy Kehoe, mentioned the programme that was shown on "Prime Time" last night and the issue of bullying that is happening in many of our schools. The Minister mentioned that one case of bullying is too many. The committee, in its report, suggested one in three students, if not more, has experienced bullying. There are high levels of bullying at a worldwide level. It is incredible that it is happening in our schools, particularly in online and cyber forums.

The Minister mentioned that €80 million is available for the expansion of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, programme. What is the timeline for that? We have a DEIS level 1 school in Ballinasloe. There are no supports for DEIS at secondary school level. When will that be done? When will those schools be included?

Digitalisation is important as we see acceleration in many areas. We need broadband rolled out for our schools. I will pass over to my colleague, Senator Maria Byrne, and if there is time, I might come in again at the end of her contribution.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.