13th October 2020
Two months into the opening of schools INTO’s Caroline McCarthy, Chair of its Northern Committee has hit out at what she describes as the confusion and frustration felt by teachers and principals because of both a lack of information and an overload of conflicting messages which have the potential to jeopardise safety.
Mrs McCarthy speaking today at the Belfast office said that…’when schools reopened in August teachers trusted the Minister when he said schools would be safe, they trusted that the Department of Education and employing bodies would provide relevant guidance and adequate resourcing and were reassured that the scientific evidence would be the driver for their return.’
Regarding the possibility of a Hallowe’en circuit breaker Mrs McCarthy said that… ‘it is evident that a circuit breaker is needed in order to gain control of the escalating surge in positive test results for COVID-19. However, both Dublin and London have indicated, separately, that while this may happen it will be with schools remaining open. Our Minister, Peter Weir has repeatedly claimed that it will be medical and scientific advice that will guide his decisions. Now is the moment for him to demonstrate he means what he says and follow the medical and scientific advice.’
Turning to recent PHA information Mrs McCarthy said…’INTO wrote to the PHA on the 22nd of September seeking clarity regarding increasing concerns in relation to ongoing incidents, advice and practice relating to COVID-19 in schools. This has remained unanswered despite a further communication. How can we work together and get through this if key information regarding the track and trace system in schools is not forth coming? If school communities are to be persuaded that there is no transmission within schools then the PHA track and trace, risk assessment and knowledge of individual school settings needs to be thorough and clear.’
Mrs McCarthy criticised the recent track and trace guidance for principals saying…’the additional workload that has principals being asked to complete the identification of close contacts for track and trace is completely outside of their remit and INTO will resist any attempt to place the responsibility for track and trace gaps on principals who are already struggling to manage increased levels of stress.’
INTO’s frustration was clear when she concluded commenting on events at Stormont’s Education Committee’s 7th of October meeting…’I was astonished at the response to the Education Committee, not for the first time, when the Minister was asked for numbers relating to COVID-19 in schools. Despite being asked a direct question relating to the numbers of teachers and pupils who had tested positive, the Minister seemed uninformed and was evasive when dealing with essential information. Without this transparency how can teachers have confidence in the way the Minister and others are managing the response to the pandemic across the education system.’