Northern Ireland

Renewed calls for Michelle McIlveen to 'act now to ensure children’s education is not disrupted' amid Omicron threat

Education minister Michelle McIlveen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Education minister Michelle McIlveen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Education minister Michelle McIlveen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

THE education minister has been urged to "act now" to keep schools open amid the threat posed by the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan called on Michelle McIlveen to bring forward an emergency plan.

The minister is due before the education committee tomorrow to discuss cases in schools.

Amid a continuing staffing crisis due to the unavailability of substitute teachers and no proposals to close schools early before Christmas, Mr McCrossan said a plan was needed to "keep children safe".

"Schools are already under extreme pressure and the alarm bell has been sounded about the Omicron variant - we need to do everything we can now to ensure our schools can reopen safely in the new year," the party's education spokesman said.

"Teachers and school staff are being badly stretched as they do their best to try and keep schools open despite the pressure they are facing.

"I am aware of schools already having to rotate year groups attendance at school, while others have decided to return to remote learning. There has also been significant disruption to exam modules."

He said he had written to Ms McIlveen outlining emergency proposals.

"We need to see a reserve list of qualified teachers drawn up from education bodies and the department so they can be deployed to cover classroom shortages and a reserve list of other education staff including classroom assistants, administrative staff and cleaners who can help out when needed," he said.

"We are facing a very difficult second term in our schools and the current measures will be inadequate to protecting wellbeing and education."