Some schools in Belfast are closing early today amid fears of further violent disorder.
The primary schools Cregagh PS, Harmoney PS, Rathcoole PS, and Seaview PS announced closures on social media and in messages directly to parents, while the post-primary boys’ school Royal Belfast Academical Institution has also begun sending pupils home.
This comes amid fears of further violent disorder following a night of widespread destruction in Belfast and elsewhere.
The Education Authority (EA), meanwhile, has said individual principals are being urged to make the decision on whether to stay open or shut.
In a statement, an EA spokesperson said a “blanket decision regarding closures for the whole of Northern Ireland would be neither practical nor proportionate”.
This comes after what the EA described as “unverified social media claims about further planned protests” today.
In an “update on disturbances” published on the EA website, a spokesperson said: “EA is grateful to all schools and youth organisations for their support to children and young people at this time.
“We are all agreed maintaining the education of children and young people is a vital priority.
“In that context, while we are aware of unverified social media claims about further planned protests today, a blanket decision regarding closures for the whole of NI would be neither practical nor proportionate.”
The statement continued: “Individual school leaders should continue to closely monitor the situation in their local area, and the commuting pathway for staff and pupils, and react as necessary and appropriate. We acknowledge that some schools may have to take individual decisions - for example, based on PSNI advice or local circumstances.”
The spokesperson added: “We will continue to keep you updated.”
In a social media update, the principal of Cregagh Primary School David Heggarty said: “I have spent the morning speaking with both the PSNI and EA in relation to social media posts calling for disorder today. I have also spoken with other principals in the area and have decided to close school today from 11.30am. We understand that is hugely inconvenient but in the interests of safeguarding our pupils and staff we feel this is the correct decision.
“Thank you for your understanding and support.”
In a joint letter sent by school principals in west Belfast, they said they felt “compelled to raise our voice at this time”.
The letter added: “The terrible stabbing incident that occurred in north Belfast earlier this week was shocking and the thoughts and prayers of everyone in our school communities are with the victim and his family and friends at this time.
“No one deserves to suffer such an appalling attack, and like all right minded people we expect justice to take its course through the appropriate legal processes. Today, many of our classrooms have children missing.
“Some of the children were forcibly evicted from their homes last night by angry mobs and are spending today trying to find alternative accommodation, left with horrific memories that will last a very long time.
“Other children are absent because their parents and guardians are too afraid to send them across the front doors of their family homes to attend school to receive their right to education.
“That is a deplorable situation which should not be faced by any families in 2026. Many people in this community have memories of traumatic events at earlier periods in their own lives, including being put out of their family homes.
“That is a memory we are grateful is alien to many children today, so it is particularly distressing that baying mobs filled with hatred and intolerance took it upon themselves to target family homes last night in acts of wanton destruction instilling fear in the hearts of men, women and children who have committed no crimes and have simply been targeted because of the colour of their skin.
“That can never be right. All of our children have a right to be educated and to live free from violence and intimidation. There can be no equivocation nor justification for these actions.
“We hope and pray that people in positions of leadership will help ensure all of our children are able to return to school as soon as possible. On behalf of West Belfast nursery, primary and post-primary schools.”
