Lots of parents across the country will no doubt be relieved to hear this.
According to the Department of Education as of yesterday afternoon, the reopening of special schools and special classes in mainstream primary schools has been agreed for the coming weeks.
pecial schools across the country will reopen with 50pc student attendance, on Thursday, February 11, and special classes in mainstream schools will follow, and are due to open on Monday, February 22.
And after two previous attempts at a deal collapsed, the Irish National Teachers’ Union (INTO) and Fórsa, which represents special needs assistants (SNAs) have both given their backing to the plans.
Having been closed since before Christmas, this return to school will start with the partial reopening of special schools, where there may be a maximum of 50pc of pupils attending on alternate days.
All pupils in special classes in mainstream schools will return on February 22, and detailed plans are set to be circulated to schools across the country today.
As for the wider reopening of schools, the INTO stated they will continue to engage with the department on the limited reopening of special education provision, while also start the planning for the opening of mainstream schools across the country.
They will include detailed information on the steps which need to be taken for the planned resumption of in-school support for pupils with special educational needs.
Speaking about the announcement, INTO president Mary Magner said the protocols and plans set out by the Department of Education offered “a proportionate and limited reopening of special education provision, led by public health advice”.
“We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground closely both ahead of the reopening and thereafter, to ensure that the weekly testing and tracing reports back up NPHET’s conclusions.”
Magner also said that recognising that remote learning is particularly challenging for children with additional needs, the department had put in place a supplementary programme to support the education and/or care needs of pupils with complex needs.
