COVID-19: Assembly recalled to discuss Covid cases in schools
MLAs have been recalled early from Christmas recess
Last updated 10th Jan 2022
MLAs are set to return to the Assembly chamber later today (Monday) after being recalled from Christmas break early to discuss the growing number of Covid cases in schools.
It follows a motion put forward by Sinn Fein’s Pat Sheehan which expressed "serious concern at the lack of planning" by the Education Minister.
Last week teachers and unions also expressed worries about staff shortages and contact tracing issues, as well as calling for more air filtration systems in classrooms.
The Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen, has said it is a priority to keep schools open and her department is working on a range of mitigations to tackle the issues.
During the plenary sitting later, the DUP member is expected to outline her department's plans to keep children safe in schools amid the latest surge of Covid-19 cases in the community.
Downtown and Cool FM heard from Mr Leo McCloskey, Acting Principal at Termoncanice Primary School, ahead of today’s debate.
He said children are sitting in classrooms with their coats on because the classroom windows are open because that is the only ventilation they have.
He said: “At the moment it’s extremely cold, the classroom windows are all open and the children are wearing coats and the teachers are wrapped up well, and that’s the only mitigation we’ve got to ensure that we have proper ventilation within classrooms.”
However, Mr McCloskey said it is not just the lack of ventilation that he would like to see addressed but also the problem with getting lateral flow tests.
He said: “For me I would like them to address a few issues, for example lateral flow tests.
“We are still waiting on our supply of lateral flow tests to come to school.
“We ordered those in Mid-December.
“I would like to see if education is going to be a priority, could there be some provisions for teachers to get a PCR test and get their results back in a quicker manner.”
Mr McCloskey said it is not just a matter of addressing the immediate issues that the Coronavirus pandemic gives rise to but has called for long-term problems to be addressed also.
He added: “My big worry is that we don’t just focus on the issues that we face now because of Covid we’ve got to look at the long-term issues that have been caused by Covid.
“First of all, you’ve got the attainment gap between ability and achievement that has widened as a result of Covid.
“There has been social, emotional and psychological damage done to our children at this time.
“Anything would help, the filtration systems would be great, but we’re not going to get them.
“I’d say we’re going to get them in the springtime and by that time it’ll be too late.
“I’m hoping next week we will have our staff back and be able to operate at a more normal level and that’s fingers crossed.
“And that’s the problem that we all face, and that’s fingers crossed.
“My big worry is that we don’t just focus on the issues that we face now because of Covid, we’ve got to look at the long-term issues that have been caused by Covid. "
Last week Sir Jeffrey said his party's objective is to keep schools open and that his DUP college is working urgently on plans to provide air filtration and ventilation equipment to schools.
However, he highlighted providing the equipment will come at significant cost.
He said: “Will the Finance Minister foot the bill for the enormous cost that there is going to be in providing that kind of equipment?
"It is a priority for us, but we need to know that we're going to get the support of the finance department to cover the cost of providing schools with the equipment that they need to keep schools open.
"My challenge back to Sinn Fein is: 'Do you want to keep schools open?' Because we want to keep schools open and if you do then we need to Finance Minister to step up and provide the funding that the Education Minister needs to deliver the equipment that is required in classrooms to keep schools open during this pandemic."
However, The Department of Finance said it: “has not received a bid to cover the cost of air filtration and ventilation equipment.
“If a bid is received the Finance Minister will bring recommendations to the Executive.”
"The Education Minister in the Assembly on Monday will outline further the steps that are being taken by her department to support schools at this time."
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