The government has stated that primary school children will return to school for only one day per week from September if the two-metre social distancing rule remains in place.
Primary school students will engage in 'blended learning' from home on other days. It has also been revealed that secondary school students will return to school for two days per week, if the current two-metre rule remains.
If the restriction is reduced to one metre, both primary and secondary school students will be able to attend school for "two and a half days per week."
At a press conference this afternoon, Education Minister Joe McHugh said: "My clear intention and the goal of the government is to have a full re-opening of schools for all students at the end of August into September. Measures will have to be taken to adapt to the new realities we will all have to take."
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He added that "we are working to develop a sustainable plan to re-open schools, protecting the health of school communities while promoting the education and development needs of the nation's children."
Minister McHugh also confirmed the details of a summer educational programme for children with special needs. This will allow special needs assistants to work at home with children without the presence of a teacher. McHugh said: "The aim is to help address the concerns that families are feeling over the loss of in-school time and learning for children with special needs and those at greatest risk of disadvantage."
More to follow...
