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SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND childcare facilities around the country will close from tomorrow until 29 March in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The significant development comes as confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland now stands at 43. One person has died from the virus here so far.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he is “deeply conscious” of the impact that the closures will have but said it a “necessary and proportionate measure”.
The Department has issued a number of guidelines for students and schools to follow over the coming weeks as Ireland moves into the ‘delay phase’.
The Department of Education and Skills will remain open and says it will continue to provide supports to the education sector.
At today’s press briefing Minister Joe McHugh said the State Examinations Commission will meet to discuss contingency plans for those due to sit their Junior and Leaving Cert exams this year.
Director of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation General Secretary John Boyle said he knows teachers will all “rise to the challenge we face, in the proudest tradition of our profession, as we grapple with this unprecedented public health crisis”.
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Teachers are also being urged not to buy all the alcohol this afternoon and leave some for the rest of us.
@Benny: ha ha ha ha
@Benny: ha
So with childcare facilities shut to prevent the spread of a virus that is most dangerous to old, ill people, I suppose working parents who can’t telework will ask the grandparents to step in.
What could go wrong?
@Lesidees: you would have to be some thick eejit to ask grandparents to step in.
@Michael Carolan: or just have no other option
@Brendan Gordon: exactly
@Michael Carolan: what other option is there? Childcare is difficult enough to get at the best of times but with crèches now closed any childminders will be full. Some parents will have no option but to attend work.
@Michael Carolan: some people have no other option.
@Frances Casey: some people don’t have grandparents to ask so how do they manage?
@Lesidees: so you’re going to be keeping your children away from your parents?
@Brendan Gordon: But to put the lives of the grand parents at risk of getting the virus.
@Michael Carolan: they will be at less of a risk if the children are not in school
Over half a million students at home, all using broadband all day, Facebook. Instagram, Netflix and other Streaming sites will be eating up broadband capacity.
Working from home could be very problematic.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: Or the fact that we’re a nation of morons that amongst the litany of service we’re unable to plan for or provide, we cant even sort out broadband
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: no actually studying and lecturers
Teachers should now be utilized to help with the contact tracing operations
@Alan: Teachers will be teaching from home via internet and other media. Is that not utilization enough for you?
At least teachers won’t have the worry of if they’ll get paid or not like the thousands of parents who are now faced with potentially taking time off work to be home with their kids. Thanks China
@benny best comment I’ve seen in a long time
Good choice! Other question: Will kids STILL be having Easter holidays? :p I can’t imagine that teachers want to come in their holidays… will be interesting! Otherwise good choice that early!
@Christine Klein: Only the first 3 days of the Easter holidays can be used to make up for exceptional closures, the rest are not up for grabs.
@Christine Klein: do you think there will be a vaccine by then?
Leo and Coveney used Brexit for ages to try and look important. Now it’s Coronavirus…….any excuse ! Where has poor Brexit gone ?
@Tony Kennedy: “it’s only halftime with Coronavirus, that’s why we can’t form a new government”.
The Scotia Academy will be holding online classes for students affected by school closures.
Classes start next Monday at 12.
Subjects covered at the moment include Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, German, Applied Maths, Ag Science. We hope to add more before Monday.
Students will be kept busy until 6 every evening and given homework and study aids.
Hope no one minds me posting this here.
@Patrick Hurley: Corona virus = $$$$ is it Pat?!
@Patrick Hurley: free of charge obviously? What a kind soul to advertise during a pandemic
Can you not have classes online? We’re going to have meetings online. They can bring all their books home.
@SC: Not as simple as that when children and teenagers require one-to-one instruction. It’s a lot easier in colleges where lectures are the norm.
Hope everyone is prepared for school over the summer!
@D: Won’t happen
@Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: don’t even have to ask if you’re a teacher! You should want to make up the time so the kids aren’t disadvantaged but nah course teachers wouldn’t give up their precious summer.
@D: read the article lad….they won’t be disadvantaged, don’t worry!
Ddsl shut down too
There were so many kids playing near Trinity yesterday (Pearse station). People don’t understand the importance of staying home during this difícil moment.
have your say