Social distancing will be reduced to one metre between children in classrooms when schools reopen, the first and deputy first ministers have confirmed.
Children will sit one metre apart but will maintain a two-metre distance from adults, including their teacher, in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Classrooms will be treated as a "protective bubble" and children will play together, limiting their contact with children from other classes, first minister Arlene Foster told today's press briefing from Stormont.
School will begin for years 7, 12 and 14 on August 24 with the remaining students returning on September 1. Teachers will be back in school from August 17 in preparation, the first minister added.
She described the proposals as "a major step forward towards normality in our schools" and confirmed that a business case has been made by the Executive for the free school meals scheme to continue over the summer.
Meanwhile, all parents can avail of childcare from July 1, she confirmed.
"Targeted activity" will take place over the summer months to help vulnerable children, while the 9-13-year-old children of key workers can avail of summer programmes.
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