Union calls for cancellation of school reopening

By Q Radio News

NIPSA, the largest of support staff trade unions, representing over 7,000 workers, calls on the Minister to rescind plans to reopen schools without adequate protections for staff and pupils.

Schools, under current rules are expecting to reopen to pupils next week.

However, Alan Law, Assistant Secretary of the union has stated: “NIPSA calls on the Education Minister to rescind plans to reopen schools on 24 August without adequate protection measures for staff and pupils.

"NIPSA supports the reopening of schools but the current plans will put everyone at risk; pupils, staff, parents and wider society.

"We need safe protocols not those which abandon best practice and ignore health advice in relation to social distancing and pupil bubbles."

Mr Law went on to say: "It’s ridiculous that parents are expected to entrust a system with the education of their children which intends to pack buses and classrooms to maximum capacity.

"It’s unfair on staff to try and maintain safety when the infrastructure around them is not fit for purpose.

"It’s not too late to act and we must do everything we can to ensure safety for everyone is the ultimate and only objective.”

However, the Education Minister, Peter Weir yesterday told MLAs that reopening schools full-time is probably the "top priority" for the Executive, the chief medical officer and scientific adviser.

He said schools would only close again in a "worst case scenario."