IT is accepted that there is a need to protect children's education as far as is possible.
There is also a need to protect children's wellbeing.
The north has had two periods of closure and most people are reluctant for schools to be affected again.
However, the new variant Covid and worsening health crisis makes a third stoppage both likely, and necessary.
It should be a straightforward enough decision. So, of course it won't be.
If it was as simple as `close the schools for a while to get the R number under control', then that likely would have happened by now.
But there is a second issue in the mix - grammar school entrance exams are due to begin within days.
Peter Weir announced there would be a delay in the start of remote learning - timed conveniently to start after the transfer test series has kicked off.
The minister said the pause was to allow schools time to prepare. Schools have had months to perfect how they provide education when children are at home. They managed this from March through to the summer. They will manage again if asked to start on January 4.
Closing schools is one thing. Asking grammar schools and private test providers to call off their papers - because another delay is not possible at this stage - is an entirely separate matter.
Of course, schools could close and the transfer tests still go ahead, but that would not exactly be a good look.
Some parents have told The Irish News that they plan to keep their P7 children off school in the first week. They were cagey when asked if they'd keep them home until they sat all the papers - but didn't say no.
All the pressure on cancelling transfer exams has been on the minister, who has repeatedly pointed out he has no role, apart from being an unofficial cheerleader.
It is for the schools themselves to decide whether or not the tests should be called off, and they have remained silent throughout.
The assembly has heard claims that primary children are only being forced to return to classrooms to facilitate the 11-plus-style tests.
It has been argued that there should be no ideological or political philosophy given prominence over the safety of school communities.
And there can't be. If the health and safety of young people and staff is the priority, all actions should reflect this.
When 2,143 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours, it is growing increasingly difficult - if not impossible - to justify any kind of normal return.
