A CLARE representative on the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) has stated she has “no confidence” in the government’s ability to safely reopen schools this Thursday.

The ISSU said it believed the government was “rushing school leaders to put in adequate risk-mitigation measures to ensure a safe return for students”.

TY Student MollyJane Sweeney said; “As a secondary school student myself, I am extremely disappointed in the Department of Education’s decision.

“Of course, being a Transition Year student, I would love to be back in the classroom safely. However, I do not have confidence in the government’s decision this week.

“With the amount of cases in Ireland at present, and the high positivity rate in our communities, it is inevitable that many students and teachers alike will need to isolate in the coming weeks.

“Without any provisions for online schooling, students who are isolating will simply miss out on vital education. Paired with a substitution crisis, and of course the lack of ventilation in many classrooms, I am simply not confident that the government will safely achieve the goal of having all schools fully reopen this Thursday. I believe that changes need to be made before we can open our schools.”

The union stated its belief that the department’s announcement “has not responded adequately to the shortages of school and teaching staff, and student absenteeism”.

It said any return to in-person learning should be done on a phased approach, whilst prioritising exam year students and students with special educational needs.

TY Student and fellow Clare representative, Julie Murphy said: “Hearing the announcement that all students are returning to school on January 6 with no new safety measures put in place is extremely alarming.

“Schools are meant to be monitored, safe environments but not every classroom can be monitored or safe at all times, with masks not being worn at times as well as some classrooms not having appropriate ventilation, and schools not having the ability to afford correct safety equipment.

“There must be more controlled measures in place in schools for example: the installation of HEPA filters in addition to a phased back approach for all students with the added facility of an online learning option for students quarantining at home.

“These huge levels of unnecessary stress caused by the proposed actions of the Government are very disappointing to both students, teachers and parents who now have less than two days to come to terms with these measures. Again, the returning of schools was not dealt with in an appropriate, acceptable manner.”