Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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442. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to support children and their parents who decide they should be held back to repeat a year in September 2021 due to the loss of learning time during the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9848/21]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if junior infant primary school students have the option of repeating the 2020-21 academic year, given the disruption caused to their education as a result of Covid-19; if special supports will be made available to schools and parents who wish to pursue this option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9893/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 445 together.

During the current period of school closure, schools are required to put in place their plan of action to enable continuity of learning for all pupils. This involves all teachers who are medically fit to work, including SETs, providing remote teaching and learning to all pupils in their class or on their caseload.

It is crucially important that the learning of all pupils/students, especially those with special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage and/or early school leaving, are supported at this time. These supports include teachers engaging with their pupils/students on a regular basis, through a blend of guided and independent learnings tasks and experiences. Chosen learning tasks provide an opportunity to demonstrate a student’s learning in a clear and concise way. These learning tasks enable teachers to monitor progress and provide constructive, developmental feedback to support learning.

Where possible it is important that pupils move on with their peers and continue on to the next stage of their education. When pupils have started back in school, the principal and teachers can assess their needs and adapt their teaching programme so that any gaps in their learning resulting from the temporary closure of schools can be addressed. For the vast majority of pupils, this will ensure progression is as seamless a manner as possible.

In exceptional circumstances a school may conclude a pupil or student would benefit educationally by repeating a grade level having first consulted with the learning support teacher/resource teacher and class teacher and parents. In such circumstances there should be a clear programme outlined for such a pupil that records precisely what new approach will be used for her/him and what its expected benefit will be. These records should be retained within the school and should be brought to the attention of a Department Inspectorate, by the Principal on visiting the school.