# Schools

'Our desire is to lift restrictions on Kildare as quickly as possible': HSE pressed on schools and testing at briefing

On schools, the HSE said today “the risks of keeping schools closed now outweigh the risk of Covid for children”.

28.3k

Aug 27th 2020, 12:51 PM

Parents: 'We're both excited and nervous about the return to school'

With many of Ireland’s schools reopening this week, we asked a number of parents from around the country to share their thoughts on what’s ahead.

14.7k

Aug 26th 2020, 7:00 PM

'For the love of God': Anger as shed to be used as Covid-19 isolation room at Athlone school

The school’s principal said the situation is “not ideal”.

56.7k

162

Updated

Aug 26th 2020, 3:03 PM

# Covid-19

Students who refuse to wear face masks will be sent home from secondary schools, Norma Foley says

The Education Minister has said all pupils must wear face masks, unless there is a medical reason not to.

56.6k

134

Aug 26th 2020, 9:57 AM

# covid committee

Covid committee: HSE boss to be questioned on clusters in meat plants and re-opening of schools

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn will also appear today.

16.4k

Aug 26th 2020, 6:30 AM

# about face

U-turn in England as secondary pupils advised to wear face coverings in lockdown areas

Face coverings will not be recommended in schools more widely in England, but will be at the schools’ discretion.

20.8k

Aug 25th 2020, 9:53 PM

'It's up to everyone to try their best to get this right': Inside a Wicklow school preparing to reopen

We paid a socially distant visit to St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin.

16.2k

Aug 25th 2020, 8:00 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Are you concerned about schools reopening?

Students will be returning to schools around the country this week and next week.

68.6k

148

Aug 25th 2020, 9:42 AM

# test and trace

South Korea orders all schools in Seoul to switch to online classes as outbreaks continue

The country’s education minister said there’s been an “alarming emergence of mass infections” since the start of the month.

20.8k

Aug 25th 2020, 7:14 AM

40% of teachers concerned about how play-based lessons will be affected by Covid-19 restrictions

That’s according to a new study published by DCU researchers.

20.9k

Aug 23rd 2020, 6:20 PM

# England

30 Covid-19 outbreaks happened in schools in England after they reopened in June

Public Health England said 121 cases were linked to the outbreaks, 30 in children and 91 in staff.

40.4k

Aug 23rd 2020, 4:34 PM

School closures prompt changes to 2021 Leaving Cert and Junior Cert exams

The changes were announced this evening by the Department of Education.

50.7k

Aug 21st 2020, 9:58 PM

Foley confident every child will return to school next week but says extra 1,600 buses a 'logistical challenge'

The Minister for Education said that parents of eligible children who make alternative transport arrangements “will be recompensed”.

25.4k

Aug 21st 2020, 9:10 AM

Martin confronted by teacher in Skibbereen over 'unsafe' plans for reopening schools

The Taoiseach had earlier visited Nagle Community College in Cork.

125k

214

Updated

Aug 20th 2020, 5:22 PM

# put back

GAA activity in Dublin primary schools deferred until after Christmas due to Covid-19 regulations

Cumann na mBunscol games in Dublin are planned to start on the week of 25 January.

5.7k

Aug 18th 2020, 11:37 AM

The mental health system is preparing for a 'tsunami' of cases from young people - staff are worried it can't cope

Long waiting lists and a disjointed system have already caused major issues.

26.0k

Aug 16th 2020, 7:15 AM

# Scotland

Explainer: What led to Scotland's school results fiasco, and why does it matter to Ireland?

Ireland’s Department of Education said that it was “aware” of Scotland’s exam results being released.

20.7k

Aug 12th 2020, 6:10 AM

Secondary students: 'If you want us to wear face masks in the classroom, we'll do it'

Students at third level institutions have been advised to wear face coverings if they cannot maintain a distance of two metres.

67.6k

Updated

Aug 7th 2020, 11:15 AM

# The Lancet

Very low risk of students and teachers transmitting Covid-19 at school, Australian study suggests

When epidemic control measures are in place, the risk of transmission between children is minimal, Sydney researchers found.

35.9k

Aug 4th 2020, 6:30 AM

Opinion: Government must break down the bureaucratic walls faced by teachers returning to Ireland

One experience teacher who returned from Australia said she battled the Teaching Council to be allowed transfer her qualifications to Ireland, but eventually gave up.

47.8k

Aug 3rd 2020, 8:01 AM

View from a teacher: 'Nobody wants to return to remote learning'

One teacher is hoping for the best but says she cannot understand why the government took so long to release the ‘return to school’ plans.

30.4k

Jul 30th 2020, 7:00 AM

Teacher takes High Court action over refusal to be recognised by the Teaching Council

Fiona Roche has taught at several post primary and primary schools since 2002 and registered with the council since 2006.

38.4k

Jul 28th 2020, 7:31 PM

# Podcast

The Explainer: What's Ireland's plan for reopening schools - and how does it compare to other countries?

What was in Minister Norma Foley’s announcement – and how does it differ from what countries like Denmark are doing?

20.2k

Jul 28th 2020, 5:30 PM

Opinion: When it comes to schools re-opening, why is no one talking about Switzerland?

Liam Printer is Irish and lives in Switzerland, where he teaches in a secondary school. They’ve been back in the classroom for some time and here, he describes what it’s been like.

406k

Jul 28th 2020, 7:00 AM

'If ever there is a time to reduce class sizes, it is during a pandemic': Opposition react to reopening plan for schools

The government published its plan to reopen schools yesterday.

18.4k

Jul 28th 2020, 6:00 AM

NPHET says a school won't necessarily close if it has a case or cases of Covid-19

Guidance is also being prepared for parents if they think their child has a respiratory illness.

30.6k

Jul 27th 2020, 10:21 PM

Pre-assigned seats and face masks: The new rules for Irish schoolchildren getting the bus

The rules will be in place on School Transport Scheme services operated by Bus Éireann.

37.8k

Jul 27th 2020, 7:05 PM

Here's a breakdown of where the government's €376m funding to re-open schools will be spent

The plan includes €53 million for 1,000 extra teachers at post-primary level and a €52.2 million school cleaning grant.

33.5k

Jul 27th 2020, 6:52 PM

# reopening schools

'Very, very big plan' - Government to unveil school reopening plan today

A planning document from the Department of Education will be brought to the cabinet today.

58.5k

Jul 27th 2020, 10:40 AM

Return of schools will see more teachers, extensive cleaning and PPE, Varadkar says

The Department of Education’s planning document is to be brought to Cabinet tomorrow.

57.4k

Jul 26th 2020, 2:02 PM

'Clarity takes time': Education Minister responds to criticism over schools plan

A plan for the full reopening of schools will be revealed on Monday.

23.1k

Jul 24th 2020, 1:19 PM

‘Significant’ amount of extra staff needed to reopen schools, Covid-19 committee told

Seán Ó Foghlú said students coming out of teaching college this year will be “a main source” of extra staffing.

22.3k

Jul 10th 2020, 12:32 PM

US tops 3 million Covid-19 cases as Trump pushes for schools to reopen

The virus is surging in several southern hotspots including Texas, Florida, Louisiana and Arizona.

19.0k

Jul 8th 2020, 6:53 PM

Covid-19 'assistants' needed in schools when they return, say principals

The NAPD has also called for a financial package to ensure adequate levels of cleaning in schools.

33.8k

Jul 7th 2020, 8:17 AM

View from a teacher: No, we have not been 'sitting at home on full pay' in lockdown

One reader is frustrated at what she believes is the unfair portrayal of teachers throughout the lockdown period and ahead of term start in September.

73.5k

143

Jul 7th 2020, 7:00 AM

# new guidelines

Social distancing rules mean it's inevitable students won't be back in school full-time - ASTI

Teachers’ unions will appear before the Dáil’s Covid-19 committee today.

50.0k

116

Updated

Jul 2nd 2020, 8:27 AM

Lack of safety guidance on schools putting staff and students 'at risk', warns trade union

Fórsa was critical of the Department of Education in a submission to the Dáil’s Covid-19 committee.

24.3k

Jun 23rd 2020, 6:08 PM

Two-metre rule 'would mean one day at school weekly for primary pupils'

McHugh said if the rule remains in place, students will engage in blended learning from home on the other days.

45.1k

100

Jun 12th 2020, 2:57 PM