THIS has been a week like no other experienced in the north's schools. Education correspondent Simon Doyle looks at the massive challenges facing staff.
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FRONTLINE teachers are coping with "a week like no other" as they support NHS workers in the face of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Educational work at Northern Ireland's schools has come to an end. They are being "re-purposed" to provide online planning, resource packs and childminding.
A list of key workers whose children will need to be provided for while they are working includes: healthcare, nursery and teaching staff, members of the police, fire and prison services and those keeping public transport and the electric network operating.
Children whose parents work in food distribution are also a priority.
Parents have been warned, however, that if their work is not critical in the response to coronavirus, to keep their child at home. This will help to halt the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.
Jacquie White, General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers' Union, said her members were standing with key workers on the NHS frontline to look after their children.
"This will be a week like no other but our members want to do their bit in the frontline alongside the doctors and nurses and hospital staff. How best to achieve that is still uncertain and confused and we would urge clarity from the minister and Education Authority as soon as possible," she said.
"These are uncharted waters. Having contacted parents over the weekend, some principals know which children to expect in school but others are still trying to ascertain how many pupils are likely to turn up.
"Only then can they calibrate the safe numbers for which they can cater and still ensure social distancing for pupils and teachers."
Ms White said many schools had already been affected by the virus with staff members forced to self-isolate and teacher numbers were down to begin with.
"Teachers want to do their bit to support key workers who are doing such an amazing job on the frontline but they do still have very real health and safety concerns for the children in their care and for themselves," she added.
"Where health and safety concerns in one school cannot be overcome there may well be merit in sharing pupils and staff between schools. There are still a range of issues to be clarified, however, not least how free schools meals will be catered for and also how best to support the most vulnerable children.
"Teachers can't help feeling they should have had guidance on that already. The decision to close schools was taken within a 48-hour period but looking at what had happened in other countries this was an inevitable outcome and guidance for teachers should have been clearer and sooner."
The number of pupils arriving at schools this week has been said to be "manageable" with indications that parents are following advice to only send youngsters in if they have no option.
There were fears that many more pupils than expected would arrive for class on Monday morning despite schools being officially closed.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the early signs were that mothers and fathers had heeded the call to only use the emergency provision offered by schools if they are "key workers who have no option available to keep their children at home".
"Schools are reporting that the number of pupils arriving is manageable," he said.
"We are grateful to parents for their understanding.
"We would like to pay tribute to schools for their amazing work in organising this provision so quickly. They have calmly gone about the business of identifying children who need places, arranging staffing cover, and providing learning resources for children who are at home. It has been an exemplary exercise in superb leadership."
Dr Mary Bousted, NEU joint general secretary, said schools could only operate to help during this outbreak "if everyone plays fair".
"If schools are to limit their intake during the crisis, school leaders and teachers must exercise their professional judgment," she said.
"There may have to be some difficult conversations with parents, which could include saying that the school cannot accommodate your child and remain safe."
Meanwhile, parents have been warned to remain vigilant to the dangers their children face by spending more time online as schools close.
As more people spend longer at home, online safety organisations have said youngsters are likely to be more exposed to potential grooming and inappropriate content.
Charities urged parents to speak to their children about staying safe while using the internet and put in place parental controls to help protect them.
Child safety online organisation Internet Matters said parents should check their children's devices have age-appropriate settings in place and set screen time limits as part of their routine.
