TEACHERS are urging caution as ministers prepare to meet to discuss whether to reverse plans for a phased reopening of schools.
The youngest children are due to return to classrooms on March 8 with those in exam years coming back two weeks later.
There are no plans yet for when P4 through to Year 11 can resume face-to-face learning.
Education Minister Peter Weir announced the phased approach saying he had "always sought to be guided by the prevailing public health advice and scientific evidence".
However, Mr Weir and his DUP colleagues later claimed there was a strong case for all pupils to return by March 8.
This followed a decision in England to allow young people to go back en masse from that date. This will be supported by twice-weekly testing of older students.
First Minister Arlene Foster also called for the executive to revisit its plans.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said schools should return in a "stepwise process" adding he had not provided any further advice to the executive since it agreed the phased return.
Ahead of today's executive meeting, the Ulster Teachers' Union said the staggered restart was preferable to a "big bang return of more if not all students earlier".
"We urge our politicians to be steered only by the scientific evidence which must prove that it is safe for children and teachers to return," said UTU General Secretary Jacquie White.
"A phased approach means we could assess its impact before allowing more students into class and thus better manage the situation.
"Our worry is that any recklessness in getting children back behind desks could trigger another spike in Covid infections and prolong disruption of their education. It would seem counterintuitive to throw away the progress we seem to be making and risk schools closing again. This would be the worst possible scenario for everyone."
Meanwhile, a group of education unions has written to Health Minister Robin Swann on the issue of vaccines.
So far, only staff in special schools who are supporting children with the most complex healthcare needs will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine.
Maxine Murphy-Higgins, chair of the NIC-ICTU Education Trade Union Group, said the executive needed to win the confidence of the education sector.
"Although the roll out of the vaccination programme is going well, it is hugely regrettable and frustrating that the NI executive has continued to refuse to prioritise education staff in the vaccination programme," she wrote.
"Vaccinating education staff would send a clear message that the NI government is taking seriously the concerns of the profession and demonstrating a genuine commitment to limiting the risk of further disruption to children's education.
"Vaccinating education staff can be done now if there is the political will to do so. There is simply no excuse and no reason to not do so."
