Northern Ireland

Principals asked to evaluate online learning

Many teachers are now delivering distance and online learning
Many teachers are now delivering distance and online learning Many teachers are now delivering distance and online learning

PRINCIPALS are to be asked to give their assessment of the success or otherwise of distance learning.

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

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

Many teachers are delivering lessons online through apps and programs including SeeSaw, Google Classroom and Zoom.

The Education Authority (EA) and Department of Education had given initial feedback, praising schools' flexible and innovative approach.

It has emerged that there has been no formal evaluation taking place, however.

Read More: Teachers told not to contact pupils about home schooling

The assembly education committee was this week told it was not possible to say how well remote learning was working.

Now, a daily online survey sent to principals asking if they are open, and to how many pupils, is to include a series of questions about support for pupils regarding online schooling.

Heads predict that the questions are likely to be basic. They say any attempt to probe the efficacy of remote learning in any great detail will be opposed by unions.

The results of Wednesday's online survey revealed that 273 schools were open and supporting 536 children. The highest number of pupils in any single school was 15.

It has also emerged that 25 school were open on Easter Sunday, although no children showed up. On Saturday, 12 children were looked after across 32 open schools.

Some are opening in case pupils show up and also for staff to preparing future lessons.

Meanwhile, education officials have held a telephone meeting with the leaders of special schools to discuss why they are mostly remaining closed.

Department guidance says they should be open as those who attend have statements of special educational need and "they fall within the definition of vulnerable children".

There are 40 special schools across the north educating about 6,000 children. It is understood as few as five have been open.

A department spokesman said minister Peter Weir wrote to heads "to request that schools encourage attendance of vulnerable children where it is in their best interests and safe and appropriate to do so".

"The department held a conference call with the EA and representatives of the Special Schools Strategic Leadership Group. Issues discussed included current status across special schools, risk assessments, remote support provided by the special schools, provision for key workers, addressing barriers to attendance for vulnerable children, health and safety considerations for children, parents and staff, personal protective equipment and managing expectations of health professionals and parents," the spokesman said.

"It was agreed that the contact had been useful and would be arranged as required in the future."