Student teachers are to be released from training to help the substitute teacher crisis this winter.
New measures were proposed by the Department of Education yesterday following urgent calls from school principals for support.
The INTO reports that 10,500 primary school pupils and up to 1,500 primary teachers are currently absent due to Covid-19.
Retired teachers are also being invited back to work without the threat of their pensions being reduced. Furthermore, 200 additional supply-panel posts will be made available to give more schools certainty about access to substitutes.
INTO General Secretary John Boyle said: “Principals and teachers have been under tremendous pressure managing COVID-19 in schools. These additional supportive measures will provide some relief and enable primary and special schools to function more effectively over the winter months.
“The INTO will continue to work constructively to ensure that our schools are in a strong position to address the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
