IT is already "too late" to ask schools to be ready for a mid-August re-start, a head teacher has warned.
Education Minister Peter Weir had said pupils in` key cohorts' may return as early as the third week of August.
Those preparing for public exams and transfer from primary to post-primary would be among the first to be welcomed back.
August 17 has been suggested as the date on which the phased reopening will begin for pupils in P7, Year 12 and Year 14.
This would be two weeks earlier that usual. It is understood staff would not lose out and be offered two weeks leave or extra pay.
Some schools have already written to parents outlining their own provisional plans.
Michael Allen, principal of Lisneal College in Derry said he had "no idea whatsoever how the school day will work" regarding transport, PPE and social distancing.
"We have no idea about deep clean. We have no idea as to what the stance will be if a teacher is either shielding or is coming from a household where there is someone vulnerable. We have no guidance whatsoever," he told the BBC's Evening Extra programme.
Asked if schools could be ready if guidance was available, he said "I believe it's already too late".
Summer holidays are due to begin on July 1 but some schools have indicated that they plan to end remote and online learning this week.
They will instead use the remaining fortnight of term for staff development and training.
