PUPILS in `key' years will be the first to return to schools in August, the education minister has said.
Peter Weir told the assembly that there would be a phased reopening after the summer holiday period.
The DUP minister appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee on the Covid-19 Response yesterday.
He provided updates on several issues including pay for sub teachers, who have received no money since schools were shut down, and free meal payments.
Schools were closed to all young people except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils in March.
Mr Weir said while there had been tremendous work done in remote learning over the last two months, it was important to begin a process of phased reopening.
This must be led by medical and scientific evidence, he said.
The number of children in schools has been slowly expanding since Easter and Mr Weir said he would be keen to see more vulnerable pupils in attendance.
There will be no overall reopening of schools during the remainder of this academic year, the assembly was told.
The Department of Education is establishing a `restart programme' and options will be developed during the summer.
"Subject to medical guidance and safety it would be my aim to see a phased reopening of schools, beginning with a limited provision for key cohort years in late August, followed by phased provision for all pupils at the beginning of September," Mr Weir said.
"This will not be a return to school as it was prior to Covid, but rather a new normal reflective of social distancing and a medically safe regime.
"For all pupils it will involve a schedule with a mixture of school attendance and remote learning at home."
Mr Weir faced criticism from several members for failing to address the issue of academic selection in his statement.
Former education minister John O'Dowd of Sinn Féin dismissed claims that there was no alternative to transfer tests going ahead in November.
Mr O'Dowd said grammar schools could easily use non-academic admissions criteria. Several Catholic grammar schools already use non-academic criteria only.
"Ending academic selection does not end grammar schools. Grammar schools are a management type," Mr O'Dowd said.
Meanwhile, Mr Weir earlier announced a new scheme to provide laptops to support remote learning in the home for disadvantaged pupils and those facing exams next year.
"This could provide up to 24,000 devices to be lent pupils over the next few months," he said.
"I have agreed a range of criteria prioritising children in year groups 11, 13, six and three and who are also: eligible for free school meals; have special education needs; are in the newcomer target groups; looked after children and children who are considered vulnerable.
"Those pupils who are eligible for free school meals in these year groups but do not meet the other criteria will be considered next for distribution. Finally, and subject to availability, pupils who are eligible for free school meals in other year groups will be considered on a similar basis."
