Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

522. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the contingency plans that have been put in place for structured online education for students including personalised feedback of first and second level schools in the event of a school having to close down partially or fully due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21720/20]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

590. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department is developing an alternative programme for remote blended learning in the event of widespread school closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22195/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 590 together.

During the period of school closures my Department provided schools with a series ofContinuity ofSchooling Guidancedocuments to help education professionals and parents to support children learning in a remote environment. The events surrounding COVID-19 and the public health restrictions which resulted in the emergency closure of schools to learners has highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be prepared to continue to support their students and be able to provide for continuity of teaching and learning in the event of any public health measures that require any closures of schools or individual classes in the future.

The continuity of teaching and learning during the emergency period was achieved with significant additional effort from school staff working remotely to ensure students were supported during this time. Most schools put in place arrangements to communicate with students and parents demonstrating innovation and resilience to provide local responses that addressed their own context.

As a contingency for any future closures, whether localised or at a bigger scale, and to ensure compliance with any public health restrictions, it is essential that all schools are prepared and have in place appropriate measures to continue to deliver teaching and learning whether for closure of a class group or the school. In this regard, my Department is in the process of drafting a circular to ensure that all schools are prepared. The next step is to engage with the education stakeholders to inform final drafting of the circular.

The circular will provide guidance and support to schools to put in place arrangements, building on the work already done by schools, to facilitate communication with and between staff, between staff and learners and to facilitate development of online approaches to remote and blended learning in the event that such is required. It is planned that the circular will issue following consultation with education stakeholders.

My Department is also reviewing all guidance documents to update as required to support schools further in maintaining continuity of schooling for all learners.