Schools closed until March/April? (part 4) **Mod warning in OP 22/01**

khalessi

Locotastic wrote: »

Essential workers have had months where childcare wasn't available, they didn't use it as a reason not to go to work. That's why I hope it's not pushed as a main issue, because it is not the main issue.

Yeah and they spent pages here giving out, a couple of hours of teachers mentioning it tonight and people are in laying down the law, telling us what to say. So it is ok for other people to come oon here and complain about lack of childcare but not teachers wow!!!

Deeec

khalessi wrote: »

Yes and they called for schools to reopened for this reason, mainly because Leo and Simon promised to sort it out during last lockdown and weren't able to. ANd if you look through this thread, you will see lots of people using it for childcare adn even our minister gave it as a reason for resopening.

In fairness I think teachers have been the only ones on this thread who stated that '' parents only see schools as childcare". I haven't seen any parents say that on this thread. Anyway if the issue is raised by SNAs or teachers it will go down very very badly with the general public. There are plenty of other reasons to reject the plan.

Birdy

khalessi wrote: »

Yes and they called for schools to reopened for this reason, mainly because Leo and Simon promised to sort it out during last lockdown and weren't able to. ANd if you look through this thread, you will see lots of people using it for childcare adn even our minister gave it as a reason for resopening.

Then you'll recognise that it's not a valid reason to keep these facilities closed.

The fact remains that remote learning isn't sufficient for these pupils. Can you think of a better solution or should they just be forgotten about?

khalessi

Deeec wrote: »

In fairness I think teachers have been the only ones on this thread who stated that '' parents only see schools as childcare". I haven't seen any parents say that on this thread. Anyway if the issue is raised by SNAs or teachers it will go down very very badly with the general public. There are plenty of other reasons to reject the plan.

In fairness we were not. We were responding to what has been said about teaching including by our minister and other non teachers on here

BonsaiKitten

Deeec wrote: »

In fairness I think teachers have been the only ones on this thread who stated that '' parents only see schools as childcare". I haven't seen any parents say that on this thread. Anyway if the issue is raised by SNAs or teachers it will go down very very badly with the general public. There are plenty of other reasons to reject the plan.

Agreed, the childcare issue has to be faced by thousands of non-teachers across Ireland. Bringing that up as a reason not to follow this 'plan' will just play into the Government's hands. If/when this fails they'll want to sell it as teachers being too lazy to step up to the plate.

Besides, there are so many other flaws in this plan we can focus on.

khalessi

Birdy wrote: »

Then you'll recognise that it's not a valid reason to keep these facilities closed.

The fact remains that remote learning isn't sufficient for these pupils. Can you think of a better solution or should they just be forgotten about?

No I think the valid reason is the PANDEMIC AND HIGH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSON

Locotastic

khalessi wrote: »

Yeah and they spent pages here giving out, a couple of hours of teachers mentioning it tonight and people are in laying down the law, telling us what to say. So it is ok for other people to come oon here and complain about lack of childcare but not teachers wow!!!

Nobody is telling teachers what to say and laying down the law.

I think it's a disgrace that essential workers have been left without any tangible support including provision of childcare but under the circumstances I would hope that teachers unions would not highlight it as a reason for staff not to return to schools.

The unions so far seem quite hopeful that things will be workable, I don't know why but I get the sense that they might know more than we do or else they've been told to toe the line.

khalessi

Locotastic wrote: »

Nobody is telling teachers what to say and laying down the law.

I think it's a disgrace that essential workers have been left without any tangible support including provision of childcare but under the circumstances I would hope that teachers unions would not highlight it as a reason for staff not to return to schools.

The unions so far seem quite hopeful that things will be workable, I don't know why but I get the sense that they might know more than we do or else they've been told to toe the line.

Well Norma's consultation was an hour late and lasted 5 minutes, sounds like bullying behaviour to me

wirelessdude01

Locotastic wrote: »

Nobody is telling teachers what to say and laying down the law.

I think it's a disgrace that essential workers have been left without any tangible support including provision of childcare but under the circumstances I would hope that teachers unions would not highlight it as a reason for staff not to return to schools.

The unions so far seem quite hopeful that things will be workable, I don't know why but I get the sense that they might know more than we do or else they've been told to toe the line.

The reason why Forsa are mentioning childcare is due to the fact that the government side of the negotiations agreed that some solution would be put in place. So far they haven't put forward any proposals for that. Forsa will be the ones to pull the plug if none forthcoming by Tuesday evening. Without SNAs, this deal is dead in the water.

Birdy

khalessi wrote: »

No I think the valid reason is the PANDEMIC AND HIGH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSON

This accommodates a very small minority of pupils with additional needs. This is what people have been calling for. Reduced class numbers.

These pupils need this provision. Teachers and SNA''s need to step up. Like they did between September and December.

Cerveza

She needed time to perfect her fringe, granted was a long time.

Funsterdelux

It all seems a bit over blown for the sake of a couple of weeks until the rest go back, unless Norma knows something we dont

Hold My Hand

I’d prefer to be back in school ... there’s no substitute for face to face tuition. However, I can’t help feeling that this decision will all end in tears.

The Wordress

With my own school going children, it kind of defeats the purpose of having my children off school if I have to send my children out to a creche instead.

I just don't feel comfortable with the idea.

I want a safe return to school and normality. I think they should just have given it more time.

I just can't get my head around this.

wirelessdude01

Hold My Hand wrote: »

I’d prefer to be back in school ... there’s no substitute for face to face tuition. However, I can’t help feeling that this decision will all end in tears.

Once the terrible twosome can do an online video saying that they forced through something then they'll be happy.

khalessi

https://twitter.com/GaryGannonTD/status/1349763620931043332

beggars_bush

If education staff usually have their kids in schools, while they work, and don't have access to any creche etc who will look after them?

BonsaiKitten

beggars_bush wrote: »

If education staff usually have their kids in schools, while they work, and don't have access to any creche etc who will look after them?

But sure you could say that about doctors/ nurses/ Gardai/ firefighters right now. It's a non-starter of an issue imo. Not saying it isn't an issue but it won't get any traction, the teacher will be no different to any of the other jobs I mentioned.

The plan has holes so big you could drive a truck through them, let's focus on those.

Locotastic

beggars_bush wrote: »

If education staff usually have their kids in schools, while they work, and don't have access to any creche etc who will look after them?

I actually can't believe that this is being asked. Do you realise how many people have been in this position? Teachers will just have to manage whatever way they can just like every other essential worker has.

The Wordress

beggars_bush wrote: »

If education staff usually have their kids in schools, while they work, and don't have access to any creche etc who will look after them?

I won't have anyone so I will have to go off on leave.

My main aim is to keep my family safe at home. The DES or Government does not give one f$ck about me but my family will not replace me nor me them.

My local town is absolutely riddled with Covid too.

I feel very silently stressed. My husband said I haven't spoken to him all day, I didn't even notice.

hesaidshesaid

Many families with kids in mainstream have for example one out of three of their children who attends SET. What do they do?

I can see this causing a logistical nightmare for those families as if they don't attend school, the SET is not supposed to provide for them.

Also according to the letter we are not supposed to teach the curriculum. What fresh hell is this? What exactly are we supposed to do with them from 8.50 -2.30pm in the place they associate with learning?

beggars_bush

Locotastic wrote: »

I actually can't believe that this is being asked. Do you realise how many people have been in this position? Teachers will just have to manage whatever way they can just like every other essential worker has.

Who will do the school work with their kids while the teacher goes to work?

This is a ridiculous decision/plan.
On the same evening the CMO asks people to stay at home

jimmytwotimes 2013

Locotastic wrote: »

I actually can't believe that this is being asked. Do you realise how many people have been in this position? Teachers will just have to manage whatever way they can just like every other essential worker has.

You can't believe a question is being asked on a discussion forum?

It's a legitimate question for any worker who has childcare needs at this time.

"will just have to manage" - hope someone shows you the same lack of understanding when your time of need comes

Locotastic

beggars_bush wrote: »

Who will do the school work with the kids while the teacher goes to work?

Again, have a look at the list of essential workers who have been dealing with this exact issue for quite some time now.

Do you think this is something new and only impacts teachers?

Deeec

beggars_bush wrote: »

Who will do the school work with their kids while the teacher goes to work?

This is a ridiculous decision/plan.
On the same evening the CMO asks people to stay at home

Are you for real. You do realise homes of essential workers all over the country have this problem but have to find a way to manage.

Locotastic

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

You can't believe a question is being asked on a discussion forum?

It's a legitimate question for any worker who has childcare needs at this time.

"will just have to manage" - hope someone shows you the same lack of understanding when your time of need comes

A legitimate question of course but how it's only dawning on some 10 months in is unbelievable.

We've 'just had to manage' ourselves and believe me it's like being in a hamster wheel 24/7.

khalessi

Locotastic wrote: »

A legitimate question of course but how it's only dawning on some 10 months in is unbelievable.

We've 'just had no manage' ourselves and believe me it's like being in a hamster wheel 24/7.

At least it is a we and not an I

The Wordress

Locotastic wrote: »

Again, have a look at the list of essential workers who have been dealing with this exact issue for quite some time now.

Do you think this is something new and only impacts teachers?

You do realise that when schools were open, that relieved a lot of childcare issues for essential workers too. During the day at least.

irishproduce

I think it's encouraging that the government are trying to find solutions to bring children back to school.
Getting their lessons for a second year in a row by email or seesaw is no doubt damaging. This is not to even mention the children in neglected homes for whom school is much more than their education.
I hope the plan goes well and that all involved, engage with it and give it their best shot.
If people want to find fault or reasons something can't work then you'll do very well in the current circumstances. However, stepping up and giving it our best is what's required here.
If it doesn't work then rexamine it.
If it works then let's start planning for all children to be back asap.

hesaidshesaid

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I would absolutely love to ask her quite a few things!!