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Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty MLA has said that schools need greater support to help protect pupils, staff and those delivering school transport as schools return next week.
Mr McNulty, a member of Stormont’s Education Committee explained, "As schools return this week I fully appreciate and acknowledge how important, both educationally and emotionally, it is for children to return to the classroom for learning and indeed for their socialisation and routine. However we must make sure all steps are taken to ensure that the whole school experience is a safe one for all involved and one which is supported by the Department of Education.
"School leaders and teachers also understand the need to have children back in school, but they also have concerns about their own health, safety and wellbeing as well as that of their non-teaching colleagues and the pupils in the classroom. Whilst evidence has been presented showing that infection rates are low in school, we still have had over 1500 incidents in schools since September. So teachers are justifiably concerned and every measure should be implemented to reassure them.”
"There have also been concerns raised about lack of social distancing around the environs of the school gate and in relation to buses shared by more than one school. I welcome mandatory regulations around the wearing of masks on school transport, but parents, carers and grandparents also have a responsibility at the school gate. We all have our part to play and we all must redouble our efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
"Children need stability and routine. None more so than those with special, complex or additional educational needs. If we are to ensure there is no further disruption to the education of our young people then we must all endeavour to make schools, the school environment and our communities a safe place for all."
