by School student representatives will call for a stronger say in how their schools address the challenges of Covid-19, and for greater communication with them, including more information regarding cases of the virus, when they address an Oireachtas committee later today.
Second level students’ union ISSU will tell politicians that more engagement would help reduce the fear and uncertainty currently being experienced by some students.
In a submission to the committee in advance of their appearance, ISSU said “genuine and constructive” communication must take place between local student representatives or councils and school managers in relation to school guidelines and rules on safety.
It has also called on the Department of Education to ensure that the views of students are included when Department inspectors liaise with schools to evaluate their implementation of Covid-19 guidelines.
It says that if their opinions are not recognised then the inspections will not be meaningful.
ISSU’s submission states that there is “serious confusion, anxiety and frustration” among students as to why schools are being treated differently to other sectors of the community.
It refers to the fact that schools are remaining fully open, while unable to fully adapt to public health responses in areas such as physical distancing and transport.
The submission said: “With a lot of schools overcrowded before the pandemic, small classroom sizes and the exponential growth of cases in the community, there is increased concern around the ability to sustain schooling under these conditions whilst avoiding increased transmission.”
ISSU is expected to tell the committee that while any further sustained school closures would negatively impact on students “regular reassurances must be provided so they feel safe and fully informed on how decisions are being made on their physical and emotional health to ease the current fear of being in school”.
In its submission to the committee, it said that vulnerable students, or students who live with vulnerable people, should not be required to physically attend school, and should have access to comprehensive online tuition instead.
The National Parents’ Council Post Primary will also address the committee which is examining how schools can remain open in a safe and sustainable way.
