The reopening of schools for special education has been cast in doubt amid health concerns.
Teachers and SNAs have expressed serious concern over the safety of schools for staff and students during the current wave of Covid-19 and its variants.
Schools and classes for children with special educational needs back to school are due to resume on Thursday.
However, the INTO has said teachers’ concerns have not been adequately addressed. Thousands of teachers and SNAs logged on to a public health webinar yesterday on the matter. The meeting, according to INTO, failed to allay teachers’ fears as they were told that no changes are needed to the current infection prevention and control measures.
INTO General Secretary John Boyle said: “The Government must take responsibility for poor and untimely communication and mixed messages over the past two weeks. The failure of Minister Foley and Minister Madigan to engage in proper consultation in the last two weeks has been very damaging and it has hampered the planning for the safe reopening of schools.”
Separately, Fórsa, the union that represents special needs assistants, is to meet today to discuss its next action.
