‘School reopening highest priority when Executive discusses lifting lockdown’

Upper Bann Member of Parliament Carla Lockhart said pupils needed face to face teaching and said the impact of the virus in primary schools had been ‘miniscule’.

“While some children adapt well to homeschooling it must be remembered that for many children and young people they will not be progressing in their education as they should be or need to be,” she said.

“Many parents are still working with limited time to support children, internet provision in some areas is a hindrance, those with special education needs are not supported as they need to be and there is also a significant cost implication of homeschooling that is a lot for households to bare.

“With all this in mind we need to see the Executive make school reopening the highest priority. Particularly in relation to primary schools, the impact on the r rate was always minuscule.

“So now with the overall r rate under one, it is unsustainable to keep primary schools closed.

“Education and the personal, social development of children is so important. These children have sacrificed enough to help the fight against Covid but now is the time for the Executive to put these children’s interests at the top of the priority list.

“Scotland is moving towards reopening for some primary school children later this month. Northern Ireland should do the same at the start of March.

“Ahead of this we should be looking to vaccinate teachers, school staff and those transporting children to school, and making schools as safe as possible. This can be done, and should be done.”