Schools will reopen on Monday for Leaving Certs and junior infants to second class, Minister confirmsNorma Foley, Minister for Education says target is for returning all children to school by April 12th
Tue, Feb 23, 2021, 18:17 Updated: Tue, Feb 23, 2021, 18:29
Carl O'Brien Education Editor
Schools will reopen on a phased basis to hundreds of thousands of primary and secondary pupils from March 1st onwards, Minister for Education Norma Foley has confirmed.
The following phases have been agreed with public health authorities and education stakeholders:
March 1st: Junior, senior infants, first and second class will return at primary while sixth years will return at secondary. Special schools will also return to full attendance, while children will return to early start pre-school classes and early intervention special classes.
March 8th: Early Childhood Care and Education preschool scheme (mainly three to five year olds ) due to reopen.
March 15th: Target date for return of the remainder of primary school children return – third to sixth class - along with fifth year students at second level. This date will be reviewed.
March 29th: Early learning and care (from birth to six years) and school-age childcare services (up to 14 years) to reopen.
Monday 12th April: Target date for return to in-school education for remainder of secondary students : first to fourth year students.
Ms Foley said remote teaching and learning provision for students in each category will cease once in-school provision commences for each group of students.