lulublue22 wrote: » I think to be fair the general public don’t realise that our numbers are skewed by the addition of SET and that the numbers are not reflective of conditions on the ground. The lowest I taught was 24 in a Deis 1 urban school. Now non Deis I’m generally in the 30/31 pupil range.
daithi7 wrote: » I wonder how the continental countries who already have got their schools back have managed it so seamlessly? Can we not just copy best practice from their experience already?? I mean what's the big deal here. P.s. Or else let's just cancel next year's leaving cert exams also & totally cave to the public sector teacher unions......
CruelSummer wrote: » Why am I reading news articles about Principals discussing foreign holidays? Here are a few issues that I should be reading Principals discussing in the Dáil as a matter of urgency: 1. Increased funding for education sector as a matter of urgency to support smaller class sizes particularly in developing schools and those with class numbers over 30. 2. Sanitary procedures for schools. 3. Immunocompromised teachers and what protections they might be afforded. 4. PPE equipment. 5. Projections of how children will mix and in groups/classes of how many. 6. Staff room procedures. 7. Covid 19 cases in schools - procedures to follow 8. Test and trace - are teachers needed to help re classroom and school environment. 9. Are extra prefabs needed to support smaller class numbers in certain schools - they would need to be built as a matter of urgency. 10. Is there a programme being developed to help children process what happened re the lockdown, being told you could kill Granny or Grandad if you hugged them, ‘no children allowed’ signs at shops and all the other emotional trauma that was lumped on them unfairly during this crisis. There are so so many issues, and he chose to ramble on about planes and holidays...
khalessi wrote: » Ramble really! He mentioned foreign travel in realtion to covid infection and bringing it back to schools, so trying to keep it out of schools. He also said schools need to be properly funded to reopen in August and Spetember MOney was needed for cleaning, supervision and support. The importance of substitute cover was also mentioned as being very important. The procurement and distributions of ppe and cleaning equipment along with training was considered important too He also mentioned needing funding as his school of 1000 students and 100 staff also only has one cleaner which is not enough. I am sorry you could not read whole article. Here is a second chancehttps://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/families-holidaying-abroad-may-jeopardise-reopening-of-schools-1.4298474
timmy_mallet wrote: » 1 cleaner being not enough for what? You'd need to employ an army of cleaners to be able to mitigate the risk. For the teachers protection, hand washing and coughing etiquette (I know, kids) should be enough.
khalessi wrote: » for cleaning a school with 1100 people in it, but the school only receives funding for one cleaner.
downthemiddle wrote: » Good man Daithi. Fair play to you for spotting that the unions cancelled the Leaving Cert. If it wasn't for you they would have gotten away with their dastardly plan. Next thing you know there will be some of them deliberately infecting themselves with the auld covid to avoid going into work. You couldn't be up to them!!!
timmy_mallet wrote: » Right. But that's not COVID related. It's general funding.
downthemiddle wrote: » All ten points are valid but are being discussed by school leaders I have spoken to. The holiday issue is relevant also because it will impact on the reopening of schools if and when cases spike. Many of the people insisting on going abroad for holidays will be amongst the first to blame teachers if schools have to close again.
Treppen wrote: » Ya the unions also stopped Ireland's chance to qualify for the 2010 world cup also by handling the ball.
khalessi wrote: » Yes but the point being made is that extra funding needed for covid cleaners and equipment Did youb read the linked article?
timmy_mallet wrote: » I understand that. But I am suggesting the point is moot. You would need someone standing by each door handle and cleaning it as touched if you wanted it to be 'covid clean...'. Teachers are concerned for their protection, washing their own hands and wearing a mask should be enough. Even more so, if kids are washing hands and coughing correctly and generally practicing greater hygiene.
CruelSummer wrote: » I disagree if they complete the 14 day isolation and went to safe zones. What about families that need to be reunited? Many families in the school community have loved ones abroad. This issue isn’t black and white and was the main focus of the RTE article.
wirelessdude01 wrote: » I know of three schools where the staff have already been told that unless it is mentioned in a circular that no one on staff will be allowed to wear a mask or visor. Have been told that if they have a medical need for one that they should go out on sick leave. This is the attitude from a small minority.
iamwhoiam wrote: » I see the Government talking about extending Mat leave for anyone whos baby was born during lockdown . It could cost €78 million ? I genuinely do not understand the rational behind that while our schools are screaming out for supports and cash input Do the mothers who gave birth during lockdown really need an extra 12 weeks off in a country whos children need funds to get schools open They need to get their priorities right in my opinion
combat14 wrote: » and on the maternity leave thread they want to extend this to all women whose maternity leave has occurred during the covid lockdown ... very hard to see why ....???
LilyShame wrote: » Id imagine plenty of teachers will be on that plane to the sun with two weeks left before they return to class. I don't blame them. Department of Ed have sat on their bums and done nothing to lead the reopening. That rte news story is utter nonsense, using teaching community to guilt trip normal consumers into losing thousands by not flying, when in truth, the department of ed have an awful awful lot to answer for. All talk, no action..
daithi7 wrote: » Wtf else was it cancelled? And kindly don't even try to assert it was for public health reasons, as continental schools were already back 3 months before the rescheduled leaving cert was due to be held! Or because the students didn't want it, like how would anyone know?! Nope, the teachers (unions) didn't want it, so this year's leaving certs will be graded on a highly subic l dubious, makey uppy, 11th hour hashed together bs system of retrospective assessment..... Public sector union fingerprints all over it....
