Schools closed until undetermined date - was March 29th

Bobtheman

And that Donald Trump is really the love child of FDR and Greta garbo

killbillvol2

Bobtheman wrote: »

Probably a Principal who can't bear the thought of his caretaker doing nothing or just wants to be on the safe side. I have also just heard that the Easter Bunny has covid 19 as well

Caught it from Santa apparently. Who was ignoring the lockdown.

killbillvol2

dhaughton99 wrote: »

Caretaker. He was told to prep the rooms by the principal.

I hope you shared it on WhatsApp.

randylonghorn

dhaughton99 wrote: »

He doesn’t do BS.

I'm sure he doesn't deliberately "do BS", but he's guessing from the fact that the principal is covering all the options. Even the Principal doesn't know right now.

Rosita

scrubs33 wrote: »

Fair points. I wonder though are we past the peak/surge? One of the number crunchers on Twitter has used HSE figures and on the 30th March there were 131 new cases of people with Covid admitted to hospital and by the 4th of April that was 62. ICU admissions went from 29 to 4. I can't even begin to imagine what conditions are like in hospitals and that decline must be some relief to workers there. However if those figures hold up the pressure to reopen schools will be intense I imagine?

I can't imagine in the current environment there'll be any pressure to open schools. When the schools closed there were a total of 43 cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Now we are heading towards 10 times that in a single day and that's with huge social distancing, events cancelled, and schools, retail outlets, and pubs closed, and probably inadequate levels of testing.

If schools were closed with a relative handful of cases I find it hard to believe there'll be "pressure" to open them when the situation has worsened ten-fold.

People are clinging to these words like "peak" and "surge" as if they will come and go like the seasons. They are connected to our behaviour which includes the closing of schools and other places. I would be surprised if we have a moment where someone says "ah that's grand lads, the surge is over...…….as you were". It'll be a gradual and partial return. Yes, there'll be Principals out there agitating as they probably feel next to useless right now but it'll take more than a few suits looking for activity to stop a pandemic.

xckjoo

randylonghorn wrote: »

John, I think it's more that there is a definite timeline for those heading off to some form of third level etc. which will either have to be met or adjusted.

Of course all students deserve to get their LC results, and to get *fair* LC results that the SEC can stand over, but for most of those not heading for college, it won't make that much difference whether they get them in August, September or even November.

In fairness, I think that's why there tends to be more discussion on those heading to third-level right now.



Certainly I know I raised a question in this thread a couple of weeks ago about JC, let alone LC.

I don't really see a big issue in the long run for those continuing to LC if they cancel JC this year.

But what about those who leave directly after JC? JC isn't much of a qualification to be waving at an employer, but at least it's something.

The question of the LC and JC as a qualification has been puzzling me. They are still qualifications in their own right aren't they? I know there's FETAC equivalents so I assume they must be. If so, shouldn't that have a bigger bearing on how this is handled than the whole university/further education side of things?

storker

RealJohn wrote: »

I wouldn’t bank on it. Even if it’s postponed, it might well take place in some form, later in the year. In the mean time, I would recommend that your kid proceeds on the assumption that it will go ahead, as normal, in June, which could still happen.

Sorry I meant postponed OR cancelled. I should have been clearer.

(That is precisely what I've been telling her.)

randylonghorn

xckjoo wrote: »

They are still qualifications in their own right aren't they? I know there's FETAC equivalents so I assume they must be.

Yes of course they are, and as John and others pointed out earlier, essential for many people who may never go to third level.

xckjoo wrote: »

If so, shouldn't that have a bigger bearing on how this is handled than the whole university/further education side of things?

It should of course have a huge bearing.

My point was simply that I think one of the reasons that "how do we sort for third level" gets a lot of discussion is because it's more time-sensitive.


That said, there is also the fact that in this country we get far too hung up on points and going to college as the be-all and end-all of everything. It's not. Lots of youngsters feel pressured to go to college who would actually do far better following a different path, or who would gain more from college if they left it for a few years, and went back as adult learners when they actually know what they want to do / are more ready. Our apprenticeship and vocational routes are woefully under-developed compared to a lot of European countries, and what routes there are under-valued in our society in terms of what I will broadly call "status".

Annnd ... Imma gonna stop there before this becomes a 3 page rant!! :pac:

6am7f9zxrsjvnb

Danish primary schools opening next Wednesday ( April 15 ) .
They closed their schools on March 11 , the day before ourselves. Danish population is similar to ours, though the rate of infection and death are lower by comparison...still an odd decision,mind.

alroley

Konnor Hissing Pocket wrote: »

Danish primary schools opening next Wednesday ( April 15 ) .
They closed their schools on March 11 , the day before ourselves. Danish population is similar to ours, though the rate of infection and death are lower by comparison...still an odd decision,mind.

Only primary? Childcare issues maybe?

Odd to open them this early

6am7f9zxrsjvnb

alroley wrote: »

Only primary? Childcare issues maybe?

Odd to open them this early

Yeah, childcare has been cited as the main reason . All children up to 12 years of age to return . The aim is to have secondary school students back on May 10 .

Bobtheman

Konnor Hissing Pocket wrote: »

Yeah, childcare has been cited as the main reason . All children up to 12 years of age to return . The aim is to have secondary school students back on May 10 .

Interesting development

combat14

Liberation' as Wuhan's coronavirus lockdown ends after 76 days

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/07/liberation-as-wuhans-coronavirus-lockdown-ends-after-76-days

Bobtheman

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0408/1129179-leaving-cert-exam-analysis-covid19-coronavirus/

Rte reports on other exam cancellations (international)

mirrorwall14

Universities and colleges officially cancel all exams

https://jrnl.ie/5069321

Bobtheman

Personally I think they need to make a decision in early May. That decision needs to let students know they will have four weeks notice of the exam. Whenever that is but telling them the LC date is fluid.
What's also worrying is that the Department are not consulting with the Unions. Look at Asti website
They did not consult on the online teaching document.
I'd be very worried if no consultation going on over Easter.

Jim Gazebo

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Universities and colleges officially cancel all exams

https://jrnl.ie/5069321

Banging on like they have it all sorted and some students in higher level have no idea whether their exams will be postponed or done online

xckjoo

randylonghorn wrote: »

Yes of course they are, and as John and others pointed out earlier, essential for many people who may never go to third level.


It should of course have a huge bearing.

My point was simply that I think one of the reasons that "how do we sort for third level" gets a lot of discussion is because it's more time-sensitive.


That said, there is also the fact that in this country we get far too hung up on points and going to college as the be-all and end-all of everything. It's not. Lots of youngsters feel pressured to go to college who would actually do far better following a different path, or who would gain more from college if they left it for a few years, and went back as adult learners when they actually know what they want to do / are more ready. Our apprenticeship and vocational routes are woefully under-developed compared to a lot of European countries, and what routes there are under-valued in our society in terms of what I will broadly call "status".

Annnd ... Imma gonna stop there before this becomes a 3 page rant!! :pac:

Totally agree with you on this

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

Banging on like they have it all sorted and some students in higher level have no idea whether their exams will be postponed or done online

Thought that was decided ages ago. Either way, third level institutions examination practices have no baring on JC or LC

Bobtheman

I think the best thing we can all do is wait. One positive of this is that im actually sleeping better. No stress of dealing with kids who dont want to be taught or dealing with the latest social engineering/wellness intiative .Yes Im worried about this affecting loved ones or anybody but bar the social distancing its outside my control.

There will be no announcement on the LC or JC until May at the earliest.
Btw if you havent seen Homeland series 1 and 2 watch it-its a cracker.

Shn99

Govt press conference spokesperson saying that Mchugh will have further info on state exams after fridays NPHET meeting

TheDriver

Shn99 wrote: »

Govt press conference spokesperson saying that Mchugh will have further info on state exams after fridays NPHET meeting

Plus hopes to have LC and JC to get at least 2 weeks class time prior to the exams

Rosita

TheDriver wrote: »

Plus hopes to have LC and JC to get at least 2 weeks class time prior to the exams

Sorry, can you clarify what you're saying here. Just not sure if it's a prediction of what's going to be said or just what you'd like to see.

Rosita

plopperthepig wrote: »

Can we all appreciate the fact that China's first confirmed case of Covid 19 is known to have been in mid November? Ours was late February. We do not have the PPE for our medical staff let alone exam students. The minister is fooling nobody saying the exams are to go ahead as scheduled.

We'd hardly need PPE for doing the LC? Different ballgame for medical staff surely?

Random sample

Rosita wrote: »

Sorry, can you clarify what you're saying here. Just not sure if it's a prediction of what's going to be said or just what you'd like to see.

It’s what he said in his last statement.

TheDriver

Rosita wrote: »

Sorry, can you clarify what you're saying here. Just not sure if it's a prediction of what's going to be said or just what you'd like to see.

Neither, it's a government statement from the Canavan one on behalf of the Minister.
Looking at Denmark, it does seem possible.

shesty

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Universities and colleges officially cancel all exams

https://jrnl.ie/5069321

They are still holding them online.
To be fair, a friend of mine is lecturing and she had to put hers up online 2 weeks ago, to give them the option.

Shn99

Examiner:A decision on whether the State exams will go ahead is due in the coming days.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/minister-urges-students-to-keep-studying-as-he-awaits-advice-on-junior-and-leaving-cert-exams-992891.html?fbclid=IwAR1342BuxFEouXL9gC_feip2L3o0Rf0LCUOZnpyy-nOqQ4MIRmtivRejGSk

Odyssey 2005

plopperthepig wrote: »

Thought they'd made their mind up? We've been failed by the government, have they no shame.

You should thank your lucky stars you're not in America or engerlanf

Bobtheman

plopperthepig wrote: »

Thought they'd made their mind up? We've been failed by the government, have they no shame.

Brian Lenihan Jnr-"cheapest bank bailout ever-8 billion projected cost" Real cost 64 billion
You suddenly discovered a politician made a promise they cant keep? To be fair extraordinary times

spurious

Bobtheman wrote: »

There will be no announcement on the LC or JC until May at the earliest.

There are meetings scheduled mid to late May regarding things like visiting assessors for certain project work etc.. If they go ahead, it will be a good indicator as to what is happening.