There is absolutely no doubt that everyone working in education would prefer to see a full return to school but this needs to be delivered in an environment that is considered safe for all within the school community.
The reality is that the challenges presented here are extensive as both the minister and school leaders have highlighted.
These are made even more complex in that, the situation can change on a daily basis.
I have worked in education for 40 years and I can safely say we are approaching the most difficult academic year in that time period. Continued collaborative working across organisations and within schools being the key to achieving the most successful outcomes for all. I would emphasise children and young people’s best interests must remain the central focus.
Covid-19 is still with us and the science indicates it’s going to be here for the foreseeable future. School leaders quickly adapted to the emerging situation in March and provided exceptional leadership and support to their staff, pupils, families and communities. They are a credit to their profession and deserve support and recognition for the work they did and continue to do.
CSSC will continue to support principals and controlled schools by engaging with the Education Minister and colleagues in the Department of Education and the Education Authority to ensure the best possible way forward. This also requires continued quality communications to ensure parents are fully
informed and involved in what’s happening.
There will inevitably be different situations regarding return to school arrangements specific to the unique context of individual schools and parents’ understanding of why this is the case is critical.
It is clear the Education Minister is following expert advice and if he believes that the science and medical advice allows for further change in approach in the coming weeks, then the system will respond positively and indeed welcome that.
Finally, there is no doubt, that this environment of constant change is demanding on everyone but equally there’s no doubt that principals and teachers are dedicated to making schools work, and getting the best outcomes possible for all the pupils in these unique circumstances.
BARRY MULHOLLAND
Chief executive of Controlled Schools’ Support Council
Making wearing of face coverings in shops now wouldn’t make sense
Sammy Wilson is correct to oppose mandatory face masks in Northern Ireland shops (August 1). People can choose to wear masks, but should never be forced to do so.
On August 1 Northern Ireland had gone 18 days without a Covid-19 related death and ICU occupancy due to the virus was down to two. Making masks mandatory in shops now wouldn’t make sense, seeing we were advised against them at the height of the problem. In March, UK deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said: “In fact you can actually trap the virus in the mask and then start breathing in.”
On April 28 Health Minister Swann warned: “One thing that would concern us is that face coverings actually lead to a false sense of security and we could see other measures with regards to good hand hygiene, social distancing start to become less prevalent.”
Editor in chief of evidence-based medicine in The British Medical Journal, Prof Carl Heneghan, said on July 18: “By all means people can wear masks or not wear masks, policy can make the decision, but what they can’t do is say it’s an evidence-based decision.”
Dutch Minister for Medical Care, Tamara van Ark said on July 29: “From a medical perspective there is no proven effectiveness of masks.”
On Tuesday July 28, Swedish state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said: “With numbers diminishing very quickly in Sweden, we see no point in wearing a face mask in Sweden, not even on public transport.”
Case and death numbers are lower here than Sweden and Holland. Why are such draconian measures being considered here when medical experts in these countries say they are unwarranted?
PATRICK McGINNITY
Derrynoose, Co Armagh
Muckamore staff needs support too
Without doubt patients and their families need answers to the alleged abuse in Muckamore Abbey hospital, that has been headlined for a very long time. The scale of the investigation is enormous and will hopefully out the truth of what actually happened and ensure justice for the victims and their families. Please spare a thought for the very hard working members of staff who are not under suspicion and who continue to help those who are the most vulnerable in our society.
The staff in Muckamore face not only the demoralising headlines in media outlets, but have worked relentlessly through the outbreak of Covid-19. This pandemic has been life threatening to us all but especially so in a hospital setting. They have continued to deliver the professional support their patients so desperately need.
While patients and families need and are entitled to answers, the staff who remain need support too.
FRANK CALDWELL
Belfast
Outrageous comments from Jim Wells
Comments by Jim Wells of the DUP that the GAA was a sectarian republican organisation (July 28) or that he will no longer watch Strictly Come Dancing because of the inclusion of gay couples in the show may be laughed off as ignorant displays by a flat-earth politician steeped in an unchanging past – which they are – but there is nothing funny about the consequences these off-the-cuff remarks made by those in positions of influence engender.
In the north unionist politicians should be more circumspect in their choice of language. Despite claims to represent all views and differences, the DUP has for decades led verbal assaults on gay people from its Save Ulster from Sodomy campaign to its opposition to civil partnership.
There appears to be an absence of internal recognition within the DUP regarding the offence their publicly stated views on the GAA, the Irish language and homosexuality cause, and how depressingly predictable that such comments still command a considerable degree of support. Indeed, these outrageous comments by elected representatives, which would be a cause of opprobrium in civilised society worldwide, are not alone tolerated but widely trumpeted by many seeking election to political power. This being the case, these homophobic opinions must be challenged from outside.
TOM COOPER
Dublin 2
