The principal of a primary school in Claremorris, who was directed to reverse his decision to close the school until January, has questioned the autonomy of the boards of management in schools to make decisions for community good.
Claremorris Boys National School intended to close early ahead of the Christmas break after recording a number of Covid-19 cases, however, the Department of Education instructed the school to remain open.
Mark Loftus, who is working remotely as five children in his class tested positive for Covid-19, told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne Show that the decision he had made had been the right one for the good of the school and wider community.
However, he said the situation was that the board of management of the school had to report to the Minister of Education.
I tried very hard to secure sufficient staff
The majority of members of the board were not involved in education, they were volunteers, but they still ended up being legally responsible for the school.
Mr Loftus said that while the right to life and the right to education were important, so too was the right to feel safe in school.
“We want to minimise the crisis in our school and in our wider community.”
Mr Loftus said that seven children had turned up at school this morning across a variety of age groups. “I tried very hard to secure sufficient staff” he said. Two other teachers were also isolating, as pupils in their classes had tested positive.
Emergency situation
In the past two to three weeks, 16 pupils from the school had tested positive with more awaiting results. The rate of Covid-19 in Claremorris is three and a half times that of the national average, he added.
“There is an obvious problem,” which was why he had taken the decision last week to close the school until after Christmas. “It was for the common good.”
If there was an emergency situation where there was no heat or power in the school, then the board of management would have the authority to make a decision to close, pointed out Mr Loftus. This situation highlighted the autonomy that boards of management have, he said.
“The system needs to be reformed,” he urged.
The principal expressed his thanks to the parents of pupils and the town of Claremorris and the expressions of support received from all over the country.
It comes as some parents at the Co Mayo primary school said they are planning to keep their children at home due to concerns over the spread of Covid-19.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education has acknowledged the difficulties faced by schools in handling outbreaks of the virus, but insisted there was no public health rationale behind altering the agreed standardised school breaks.
Schools are due to go on Christmas holidays on Tuesday, December 22nd.
