Ruadhán Jones
Catholic schools have rigorous protocols in place to remain open after they return next week, despite concerns about Covid-19, parents have been assured.
“We’ve been here before, we’re used to dealing with this particular situation,” Seamus Mulconry of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) told The Irish Catholic this week.
He said that “cautious confidence is the overriding feeling” among staff and students, adding that schools have the necessary protocols in place.
“The advice we’re getting is to keep doing what we did in June,” Mr Mulconry continued. “The health measures worked, so keep applying them rigorously and we should be ok.”
The CPSMA’s general secretary said there is some trepidation as well, and urged parents to “err on the side of caution” when it comes to sick children.
“Parents have an important role to play in this,” Mr Mulconry added. “If parents err on the side of caution and schools stick to the guidance, we’re very confident we can keep schools open.”
He encouraged stakeholders to “keep a close eye on the situation” for the first two months, to make sure the system is strong enough to handle the new Delta variant.
With regard to pregnant teachers returning, he said schools “understand the concerns that people have.
“Pregnancy is a time when people feel uniquely vulnerable, we’re conscious of that,” Mr Mulconry stressed.
The majority of pregnant teachers will be in, he added, and said that they will “all be applying the health guidance” provided by independent experts.