News

Peter Weir appeals to volunteers to help keep schools open, despite falling pupil numbers

Education Minister Peter Weir
Education Minister Peter Weir Education Minister Peter Weir

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help schools stay open but the number of children attending is plummeting.

All schools are now officially shut for normal teaching and learning until after the summer.

However, limited education supervision is being provided for children whose parents are key workers and cannot make alternative arrangements.

Some schools may remain open over the Easter break and have also been asked to consider welcoming children at weekends.

The Department of Education has been monitoring the situation every day.

Many teachers and classroom assistants are unable to attend their schools. Several would fall into the vulnerable group or be looking after others in their households.

Additionally, some schools have conducted risk assessments and concluded they cannot open.

Others say they have insufficient staff to supervise children.

Education minister Peter Weir has now appealed for volunteers to work alongside classroom staff.

His plea comes as figures show another drop in the numbers of schools opening and children attending.

On Friday, 449 schools across the north were open to 686 children - the lowest totals to date.

A total of 3,226 teaching staff were available both in school and home on Friday while 633 non-teaching staff attended.

Friday's figures represented a drop from Thursday when 848 pupils were being looked after in 464 schools.

Almost 200 closed schools have said they would open in future.

There is no set limit to the number of pupils a school can admit, as long as guidelines on social distancing are observed.

Parents have been told to send their children in to school only as a last resort.

In a new letter, Mr Weir said volunteers could provide essential support to teaching and non-teaching staff.

Volunteers are being sought initially from those already working in the sector including the Education Authority, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and inspectors.

They should not be pregnant, aged 70 or over, or have any long-term health conditions.

Mr Weir's department is working with the Department of Justice to fast-track Access NI clearance. Any volunteer would need this before being allowed to attend schools.

"I am asking for your help, in a bid to assist our dedicated teaching staff and non-teaching staff in schools who are carrying out this vital role," he wrote.

"The teaching and non-teaching workforce has already been assisting greatly, but we need more people who are willing and able to be of assistance, even if their normal school is not open, to offer their services."

The minister also spoke about how school hubs could work in some areas. Children would be able to attend one location regardless of their own school.

::

NUMBERS OF PUPILS IN OPEN SCHOOLS

DAY SCHOOLS PUPILS

FRI 449 686

THU 464 848

WED 488 989

TUE 580 1,172