Pupils preparing for exams may return to school in the third week of August, Education Minister Peter Weir has said.
Those studying for major public tests and transfer from primary to post-primary schools would be among the first to return to classes under an envisaged phased reopening, Peter Weir said.
Other pupils will return to school on a phased basis from the beginning of September.
It is understood the first pupils to return to school will be those preparing to sit key exams including GCSEs.
Mr Weir told a Stormont committee today that he wanted to see schools reopen on a phased basis "subject to medical guidance and safety".
Schools have been closed since late March.
Mr Weir said there would be "limited provision for key cohort years in August, followed by a phased provision for all pupils at the beginning of September".
He added: "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 mixture of scheduled school attendance and learning at home.
"In line with the executive's strategy contingent upon medically sound advice and susceptibility of the transmission of the virus, consideration may be given to a return of younger cohorts."
In a lengthy statement, the minister outlined the work his department has done to help vulnerable children, provide free school meals and offer computers to children who need them.
The families of around 101,500 children are receiving payments for free school meals.
However, the scheme will end on June 30.
Mr Weir said the payments will not continue over the summer because his department "does not provide free school meals over the summer holidays".
The Education Authority is also providing food boxes with five breakfasts and five lunches every week to around 3,100 vulnerable young people who are at risk of going hungry despite the free school meal payments.
Concerns have been raised that many children from low-income families do not have access to computers to allow them to continue to learn at home.
Mr Weir said devices will be lent to children, initially from school stock. A further 11,000 devices could be bought to meet demand.
Children in years three, six, 11 and 13 who are also eligible for free school meals, have special educational needs or are considered vulnerable will be given priority for computer equipment.
