Northern Ireland

Unions urge ministers to publish plan for allow students home this Christmas

NUS-USI president Ellen Fearon
NUS-USI president Ellen Fearon NUS-USI president Ellen Fearon

EDUCATION ministers are being urged to provide plans to ensure university students can get home for Christmas.

The call has been made by the presidents of NUS UK, NUS Scotland, NUS Wales and NUS-USI in the north.

They have asked for a plan to get students home for Christmas and other religious and significant events to be released as soon as possible.

They also want additional support for those who cannot or choose not to leave their term time address.

In addition, the unions want international students to be offered assistance to travel to their home countries if they choose to.

Ellen Fearon, NUS-USI President, said the effects of the pandemic were already taking their toll on student mental health.

"We have seen students struggle with extended periods of self-isolation with limited social contact," she said.

"It is essential that we get the end of term right. This period is so important to so many people, and students are no different."

Larissa Kennedy, NUS UK national president, added: "Now it is time for the governments to start to put this right and ensure they are able to travel home for Christmas."