One-metre rule would mean ‘part-time’ return to school for some year groups

The Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) is exploring all possible options for the new school year - whether that will mean a full-time return to the classroom for teachers and pupils or 50% hours for some year groups.

Management teams in schools across the two counties are trying to plan for multiple possible scenarios in September - with the latest public health guidelines recommending a one metre distance between students in the classroom from third class upwards. Chief executive of the local education and training board, John Kearney, has conceded that if this advice remains, it will mean more of a “blended” return to education.

“CMETB schools are exploring all possible options including reconfiguration of classrooms and common areas, timetables, and break-times. This will also include consideration of a blended learning approach, which would involve a combination of physical and online teaching and learning. CMETB looks forward to receiving further direction and guidance from the Department,” Mr Kearney told theCelt.

CMETB has 11 second-level schools under its remit in Cavan and Monaghan with a combined projected enrolment of 5,023 this September. More than a fifth of those are first years beginning their secondary education.

Mr Kearney detailed: “The CMETB Covid-19 Response Management Team has been meeting over the last number of weeks preparing response plans and risk assessments in line with the Government Return to Work Safely Protocols. While we await specific guidance from the Department of Education and Skills, we welcome the publication of interim public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to the re-opening of schools. We also welcome the new Minister for Education [Norma Foley] and her commitment to continue the consultation with stakeholders on the public health advice and planning process.

“CMETB acknowledge the importance of school in terms of social, wellbeing and educational outcomes for children and aims to achieve a full return to school for all students and staff in late August/September. However, we also recognise the very real challenges that the public heath advice on social distancing will have for schools.”

St Patrick’s College in Cavan has 745 young men on its rollbooks for September - 144 of whom are incoming first years.

The principal, Chris Rowley, told theCeltlast week that a ‘one-metre social distancing, and two where possible’, if applicable come September “will mean that St Patrick’s College will be unable to have all students in school at the same time”.

He outlined: “All staff will be in school, the issue is how many students will be and what version of teaching and learning will take place.

“As a management team we have put a broad plan in place. However many schools will not implement anything until 10th August. The situation will be clearer then. There is no point implementing something now that may be unnecessary down the line.”

Mr Rowley said there are many obstacles to overcome.

“There are substantial challenges for integrating first years given the disrupted end to their primary schooling. We have been planning various interventions on that. At the other end of the school, ensuring sixth years are looked after is another key challenge,” he said.

The principal continued: “Technical and scientific subjects will present particular challenges, the handling of equipment, the cleaning procedures around these and around the school.

“In general, we are eight weeks away from schools opening. The COVID-19 situation will evolve further and the guidelines will evolve with them. The opening of schools is of concern to many, parents, students, staff and society. For the moment though it is wait and see and hopefully enjoy the holiday break,” he concluded.

Decisions needed now

Meanwhile, the union representative for the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that decisions need to be taken now, despite the evolving situation and guidelines around COVID-19 to allow teachers, parents and students to plan for the new academic year.

Micheál Martin, who is also a teacher in Castleblayney College and also sits on the CMETB, told theCeltlast week that there are many things to consider but he’s of the view that installing hand sanitiser dispensers and temperature check systems are a good idea regardless of how the COVID-19 situation develops.

“Effectively what Ireland is going to look like in mid-August, it’s very difficult to know,” said Mr Martin who expressed his personal view that better sanitisation and temperature checks can only serve to promote positive health in school communities and prevent the spread of seasonal flus, bugs and viruses going forward.

He also predicted that a repeat of a widespread school lockdown is unlikely and government will favour a “more regionally controlled approach unless there is a significant national spike”.

Mr Martin said teachers are keen to return to work full-time in the classroom.

“It has always been the union’s view and the teachers’ view that we take our direction from the public health guidelines as they come out but it is a much, much easier task to work with students when they are in the classroom in front of you and it would be our preference that as many students as possible, preferably all, could return,” he said.

However, he expressed concern about the safety of staff and students with underlying health issues; or for those who had people in their households in a high risk category.

Mr Martin also said he does not believe the one metre distance is achievable in many classrooms, particularly where large class numbers are concerned.

“If you break a class down into smaller numbers, you need double the staff. We’re looking at rough figures, it’s not attainable in my opinion... It is very difficult to see it working,” said the TUI man who represents over 1,200 members in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath.

Mr Martin said it will be difficult for teachers to enforce social distancing within schools. “It has to become part of the code of discipline. It’s a partnership approach with parents, students and staff and, ultimately, the way that I see it is - it’s in all of our interests to adhere to best practice,” he said, adding teachers could only do their best.

The teacher also queried what practices would apply in practical classrooms or subjects where learning is very “hands on” and equipment is often shared between pupils. He said decisions need to be taken on items such as gloves, masks, hand sanitizers or a combination of the above.

Mr Martin also raised the question of investing in technology to perform temperature checks on the entire school community – teachers and pupils – as they arrive for school in the mornings and after lunch and whether or not that outlay should come out of the school’s budget.

“If decisions are not put in place, sooner rather than later, these cameras won’t be available... Temperature checks are probably the least invasive way you can quickly monitor how things are within your school community and, if there is a slight spike, you are going to need testing and tracing, as quickly as possible, to follow.”