thomasdylan wrote: » https://mobile.twitter.com/apsmunro/status/1278714280448319489 A very good summary of the information available so far on the return to school. Should be mostly reassuring reading.
mcsean2163 wrote: » As someone who became unemployed and ended up home schooling/ stay at home dad, the level of entitlement here is sickening to me.
richardw001 wrote: » Maybe we are wronging them. It maybe that the ASTI is as committed to getting back to work as the rest of us. The media, knowing that they will get a certain type of comment might be driving a narrative here and fueling discord. My own advice to the ASTI would be that they should be saying "no comment" rather than posturing to the media. A union has no place setting themselves up on a pedistal as an expert on COVID-19. If individual teachers have an issue on their working conditions they should raise it with their employeer (and bring their union in on a case by case basis). Anyway the biggest mistake I believe the government made was not deeming teaching as essential work months ago - and having Teachers in for the kids of frontline workers and also vunerable kids. Bar staff also for same reason and teachers for same reason safet measures Now I think everyone is overthinking the whole school situation Like every other industry - Individual employees should take the expert advice onboard and decide what risks they are prepared to take. Cleaners and now hairdressers are back taking much higher risks - and you dont see them on the TV and media !
richardw001 wrote: » Maybe we are wronging them. It maybe that the ASTI is as committed to getting back to work as the rest of us. The media, knowing that they will get a certain type of comment might be driving a narrative here and fueling discord. My own advice to the ASTI would be that they should be saying "no comment" rather than posturing to the media. A union has no place setting themselves up on a pedistal as an expert on COVID-19. If individual teachers have an issue on their working conditions they should raise it with their employeer (and bring their union in on a case by case basis). Anyway the biggest mistake I believe the government made was not deeming teaching as essential work months ago - and having Teachers in for the kids of frontline workers and also vunerable kids. Now I think everyone is overthinking the whole school situation Like every other industry - Individual employees should take the expert advice onboard and decide what risks they are prepared to take. Cleaners and now hairdressers are back taking much higher risks - and you dont see them on the TV and media !
iamwhoiam wrote: » The Government made a huge mistake by not keeping schools open for frontline workers . In the UK they did and a rota of teachers and SNAs looked after the kids in the schools . It worked really well according to a friend of mine and the frontline workers could go to work knowing the children were looked after Frontline workers here were let down badly in this regard
History Queen wrote: » The ASTI comment yesterday wasn't to journalists. It was to a Dail Committee. People need to be responsible for the media they consume also and question headlines and click bait titles not just be zombified consumers of whatever the media propagates. Critical thinking needs to be engaged. No union is setting themselves up as experts on Covid-19. They are asking that public health advice be adheared to. Anyway I'm sick of trying to defend my profession to people who simply refuse to listen (not aimed at you particularly but the thread in general). Quick summary: Teachers want to go back to work in as normal a fashion as possible given the situation we are in Teachers want to go back to work in line with public health guidelines Teachers are not refusing to work Teachers are not looking for extra money for themselves but are looking for the Department to fund schools adequately so that they can follow public health advice Teachers have been working from March 12th up to the official school holidays Teachers and individual schools cannot and will not decide when and how schools will open, that is the remit of the Department of Education Many teachers are parents too and acutely aware of the childcare issues involved All other workplaces have increased health and safety measures in place depending on their circumstances, whether that be perspex screens/new work place protocols/social distancing/time limits/PPE etc.
iamwhoiam wrote: » Most people I know realise its not the teachers that are dilly dallying but the DoE and the unions are dragging their heels .Unions should have put pressure on the Dept way back in April . This is what is bothering many parents because it has been known since March 12 that something had to be put in place to get kids back to school.I my opinion there should have been a task force in place by end of march who would plan for worst case scenario , medium and best case scenarios .Different plans for all eventualities and plans for hygiene , PPE , etc . Principles and teachers asked to submit their needs and ideas and task forces or commitees set up in schools to set out their needs and concerns . Hospitals at management level and ward level had to think on their feet and get things done as quickly as humanly possible and get the staff on board and willing . It comes from the top and it has to bring everyone on board and the wheels in motion . Every cog in that wheel is vital and should be consulted . And as an aside I think the unions should be more aware of the huge anxiety out there among pupils , parents and teachers and choose their words wisely be it to the press or a Dail Committee
History Queen wrote: » Agreed re unions choosing their words wisely, responsible media reporting would also help. In defence of both second level teaching unions April and May were largely taken up with dealing with the ever changing goalposts on the Leaving Certificate and responding to irresponsible speculation by Leo Vradkar, Simon Harris,Ciara Kelly etc. Not saying that there weren't discussions going on with INTO and Dept re schools opening at that stage, I simply don't know. Also agreed re the importance of consultation.
Rodin wrote: » Teaching unions have always had a poor attitude. Always talking problems instead of finding solutions. No reason why schools can't reopen in September. They just need to get it done. Mandatory face masks will go a long way to reducing risk
History Queen wrote: » Nothing concrete. That's part of the worry.
DSN wrote: » outrageous considering the announcements for millions for this industry & that. Even the bloody cliffs of moher have been pledged a 16M upgrade this week.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » How many times have us teachers said on here that the Dept need to step up. Decision to open/close doesn't fall on our lap at all. We all want to get back properly in Sept but we want it to be safe for all our school community.
Rodin wrote: » Define "Covid Secure"
Rodin wrote: » Define "Covid Secure". This term comes from the unions. What criteria need to be met before a school is "Covid-Secure" ?
khalessi wrote: » Yep, and listening to yesterdays debate they are still considering how much if any to invest in Education. Now there is a new Minister to get up and running. From what I can tell, it will be doors open in September and count yourself lucky that the Dept bought sanitizer.
the corpo wrote: » Didn't McHugh, in his last statement, say there would be no funds for extra prefabs/teachers etc? Or did I imagine it...
khalessi wrote: » Still the Dept who have not stepped up to the plate.
Rodin wrote: » What do you want from the department? And what have the schools themselves done in the last almost 4 months?
iamwhoiam wrote: » Hospitals at management level and ward level had to think on their feet and get things done as quickly as humanly possible and get the staff on board and willing .
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