wirelessdude01 wrote: » We may not have a choice in the matter depending on the BoM and/or principal.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » The choice to wear a face mask (unless you're somewhere where its actually mandatory protocol to wear one) is a choice that people can make and have been making all for themselves. Principal won't tell you not to wear one, they can tell you that you have to wear one depending on the circumstances but they cannot ban the wearing of face masks by teachers.
Higgins5473 wrote: » No, they can not. Opinion on facemasks is divided right up to the top of WHO and CDC. As it stands, a principal and BOM of any school in Ireland are probably at the lowest possible point of direction in terms of teachers wearing masks or any type of PPE as there is there is absolutely no directive on this YET. These type of posts should be reported and deleted, totally misleading and untruthful.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Of course they can, if PPE is made mandatory for teaching staff (other than those exempt) then yes they can be told that they must wear it. It's already mandatory in hospitals, healthcare settings, hairdressers/barbers/beauticians, public transport, amongst many other workplaces. If health advice deems that teachers must wear face masks well then that's what will be done. But it hasn't been made mandatory and based on the guidelines it's unlikely to be mandatory, equally teachers who choose to wear masks won't be banned from doing this either. So it will be down to individual choice whether a teacher wears a mask or not.
Higgins5473 wrote: » hang on, the post I quoted stated "they can", now "of course they can, if..." a load of "if's". what nonsense. there are no certain definite directives or circulars YET, I even put that in capitals to emphasise it. so talking about what principals and BOM's can or cannot do at present is pointless because at present there are more questions than answers.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » Report the post so if you feel so strongly about it. Easy to know you aren't a teacher if you think that some principals don't tightly control and rule their schools.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Simply pointing out that masks could be mandatory, yes teachers could be told that they have to wear them (bar exemptions) but that they cannot be told NOT to wear them. I think a lot of teachers would welcome mandatory PPE but if that directive is not forthcoming then they should make their own personal choice on it and be allowed to do that.
alentejo wrote: » If schools dont go back in September, there is going to be a serious social and economic issue in Ireland. Parents cant sustain working and teaching at the same time. Child care issues will be at the forefront of the political agenda. There is also the serious issue about the long term education loss to children. Having only 50% of children in school will not be a sustainable.
LilyShame wrote: » Gone beyond a joke at this stage. Dept of Ed are a disgrace. I get that unions must defend their members but its time to put the green Jersey on in the public education system. I agree with working parents at this point....working a 9 hour day from MS teams and homeschooling children is very very difficult and not sustainable. Parents, business owners, workers... At this point you need to lobby any politician within your reach at this point to ensure full time education return. I will stand outside that Doe myself if I have to. Norma needs to mobilise!!!
Sammy2012 wrote: » I just heard on the news that the NPC are going to talk to the Oireachtas today that parents and teachers want blended learning. As a parent and a teacher I've no idea where they are getting these facts from because I don't know of anyone who wants this. I want to go back to school full time and I want my kids to go back full time. Altho both will fall into the Junior Infant to 2nd class rules so should be.
History Queen wrote: » I'm the same. Any colleagues I've spoken to want to go back to school in as close to normal a fashion as possible albeit with extra precautions for safety. Hardly unreasonable.
Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: » Nobody wants blended learning, not parents, not teachers, not teachers who are also parents. I don't know why the NPC would lobby for that or what the motive would be for it.
History Queen wrote: » Exactly, where are they getting their information from? Did they survey people?
khalessi wrote: » I think there was a survey put out a few weeks ago maybe APril
lulublue22 wrote: » Same here - blended learning seems to be the least favoured option. No idea where they get these “opinions” from. Though from a dep perspective its very handy - when it goes tits up and it will then it will be those lazy ass teachers and the over zealous unions who will bear full responsibility in the public mind. Honestly getting heartily sick of being scapegoated. Hoping it will be back as close to normal in Sep as possible with added precautions such as face coverings / masks
iamwhoiam wrote: » For primary schools, it points to two possible approaches. In a traditional classroom with standard desks, it would mean a distance of one metre between students, and the alternative is to maintain separate 'pods' - a small number of pupils working within groups. While one pod would maintain a distance of one metre from another pod, there would be no requirement for minimum distance between individual pupils in a pod. A 'pod' refers to a small group within a class, but it also recommended that classes themselves be regarded as 'bubbles', which stay apart from other classes as much as possible. This is from the Independent today
khalessi wrote: » I think the "each class is a bubble" approach is the way we are going but I mentioned that last week on here somewhere. It will be hard to work as already my job has me potentially in 4 bubbles, which I will be happy to do as long as i can wear a mask. I will do that anyway
Sammy2012 wrote: » Do u work in SET? I'm due to move there next year and am not sure how it will work?
Sammy2012 wrote: » They had a 24hour survey last week!
