Education Minister Peter Weir has confirmed he is to propose remote learning for some school pupils next year as part of the attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Mr Weir said the plans would involve post-primary school pupils in a non-exam year (years 8-10) learning remotely from January 25 until the end of half term.
It means schools would open as normal on January 4 after the Christmas holidays.
The first paper in the post-primary transfer test is due to be held on January 9.
Mr Weir said that schools must be given time to prepare for any change and that the proposals are "dependent upon the public health situation".
"We need to protect our most vulnerable students, and so irrespective of year group, the aim will be to keep special schools open throughout this period, and to provide provision within all schools for vulnerable children," said Mr Weir.
Peter Weir said he wanted to implement a package of measures in early January.
He said consideration has already begun in the following areas:
- Extension of the use of face coverings within post primary schools;
- How compliance on face coverings and safety measures can be increased on school transport;
- How people can dramatically improve behaviour at drop-off and collection of students around the school gates;
- Building on the current pilot scheme in Limavady, working alongside colleagues in health, exploring how officials can begin to further roll out test and trace capacity within schools;
- How messaging can be improved to young people to increase responsible behaviour and safety in connection with the pandemic.
Mr Weir said: "Let me make this abundantly clear.
"The basis on which schools will return in January will not be on the basis of a return as normal.
"That would be an impossibility and I agree with the health minister that matters cannot be 'as normal', nor indeed given the unusual conditions that education has had to work in this year, it cannot be even a return to the 'new normal'.
"I have made that very clear to all my Executive colleagues, no later than last night.
"We need a further step change in the actions that are taken."
NIPSA Assistant Secretary Alan Law said: "Schools should not re-open in January until a blended learning model is
ready to commence, to do anything else is to continue to put the health, well-being and safety of staff and pupils at risk.
"The mminister rightly identifies that vulnerable children are particularly at risk, this is not alleviated by bringing all pupils
back. This increases the likelihood of the spread of infection and absences from school to isolate. The statement made in the NI assembly today offers no comfort to anyone in the education sector and just evades all responsibility to ensure that schools are safe places where education can take place."
Earlier today, Health Minister Robin Swann said he does not believe schools can return as normal in January.
Mr Weir unveiled his proposals after the Stormont executive agreed to reduce the five day Christmas bubbling arrangements in the north to just one day.
