More pupils return to school in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio news

The majority of children are returning to school in Northern Ireland this morning. 

P4 to P7 pupils and those in post primary Year 12 to 14 will resume face to face teaching.

Primary pupils in years P1 to P3, nursery and pre-school children are already back, having returned on March 8.

The final cohort, secondary pupils in years 8 to 11, will go back to classes on April 12 after the Easter holidays.

The winter surge of Covid-19 cases forced the closure of schools in January. Only vulnerable children and those of key workers had been able to attend classes prior to this month.

(A welcoming balloon arch for pupils at Armoy Primary School - pic by L. Brewster)

The timetable for returning to school was agreed by Stormont ministers as part of the initial steps of their lockdown exit strategy.

Several restrictions on wider society are due to lift next month, including:

From April 1

– Up to six people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden.

– Ten people, from no more than two households, are able to participate in outdoor sporting activities. Golf courses to reopen (clubhouses to remain closed).

– Click-and-collect purchases allowed from garden centres and plant nurseries.

From April 12

– Up to 10 people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden.

– Click and collect at all non-essential retail outlets.

– “Stay-at-home” requirement lifts. Will be replaced by “stay local” message.

– Outdoor sports training to resume for sports clubs affiliated with recognised governing bodies with no more than 15 participants in one training group. Indoor club facilities, apart from toilets, to remain closed.

All primary school pupils and students in key exam years have returned to school today.

Education Minister @peterweirmla spoke to Q Radio about how his department are ensuring students can stay safe in school - and how they're planning to look out for pupils' mental health. pic.twitter.com/6p2RVVJTeI

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 22, 2021

The Executive has also amended regulations around elite sports to enable two World Cup qualification matches scheduled for March 25 and 31 to take place as well as a friendly match between Northern Ireland and the US on March 28.

No spectators will be permitted at any sporting event.

The April 12 easements are subject to final ratification by the Executive in the week before they come into effect, likely on April 8.

The death of one further patient who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 was reported on Sunday by Northern Ireland’s Department of Health.

Another 125 cases of the virus were also confirmed.

(Some post primary classrooms will remain empty until after the Easter holidays)