It comes following advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which states that children over the age of 12 should wear face masks, and children aged between six and 11 should wear coverings depending on how widespread the transmission of the virus is.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said it has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin seeking clarity on the expert health advice relating to primary and special schools.
In a statement, INTO said the union sought clarity on a number of issues from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly three weeks ago.
INTO has noted that the WHO is now recommending that children aged six and older wear face masks and, in that context, calls on government to urgently review the HPSC guidance in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.
“These issues included the wearing of face coverings and the approach to be taken by the HSE in a school in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19,” the union said.
“INTO has reminded An Taoiseach that, as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight, it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector.
“INTO has noted that the WHO is now recommending that children aged six and older wear face masks and, in that context, calls on government to urgently review the HPSC guidance in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.
“The union was promised in June that this guidance would be updated to reflect the changing situation in the context of Covid-19 epidemiology in Ireland.
“A review was also promised in light of the experience of other jurisdictions whose schools reopened in May and June.”
It comes as the phased reopening of schools began today, with many primary and secondary schools reopening this week and next week.
Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has criticised the Department of Education for what he described as their “lack of consideration” of students and staff with underlying health conditions.
The party’s spokesman for education also claimed that the roadmap for the reopening of schools and the department’s guidance offers very little direction.
“While small in percentage terms, in real terms many children will see their lives profoundly affected, and they are just as much entitled to a decent education as anyone else,” Mr Ó Laoghaire said.
“There is very little guidance on how they will be supported and it appears that much of the responsibility will fall on special education teachers.
“These teachers will be pulled from pillar to post as it stands under the Government’s plans and will be very stretched in attempting to provide education remotely on top of their existing duties.”
