Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

551. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policies and guidelines developed for schools in respect of online teaching of minors with due consideration to GDPR. [21892/20]

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

My Department recently published guidance ‘Continuity of schooling: Supporting primary pupils who are at very high risk to COVID19’ and Continuity of schooling: Supporting primary pupils who are at very high risk to COVID19’. This guidance is provided to support schools in making adapted education provision for pupils who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19.

The guidance is available on my Departments website; and

Responsibility for ensuring that pupils who are at very high risk to COVID-19 receive appropriate support to engage adequately with learning remains with the school in which they are enrolled. A number of options, including online learning for facilitating this support are outlined in the above mentioned guidance.

The purpose of adapted education provision is to ensure that pupils who are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19 can maintain a meaningful connection with their class and school in order to successfully continue their learning from home. Regular and ongoing communication between home and school will be essential to support the pupils’’ engagement with their learning and their continuous connection with their classmates and school community. Arrangements may include providing access digital technology to support this engagement where appropriate. My Department has previously provided funding to Management Bodies to further update and develop guidance for schools in relation data protection, including GDPR and all schools are familiar with its provisions.