With schools set to reopen next week and exams still scheduled to go ahead despite the increase in positive cases and deaths in Northern Ireland due to Coivd-19 as well as the discovery of a new strain of the virus which is more transmissible, one teacher has said the Education Minister has “blatant disregard” for the sector he is responsible for.

Education Minister Peter Weir confirmed before schools closed for the Christmas break that they would reopen in the first week of January to protect children’s education, mental health and well being.

However, Chris McCaffrey, who teaches at St. Aidan’s High School, Derrylin and St. Mary’s Primary School, Killesher says the Minister has not listened to teaching staff or principals and says he is “ignoring reality”.

“As a teacher I can honestly say I am in disbelief of the behaviour and actions of Peter Weir as are the majority of people in the teaching profession,” said Mr. McCaffrey.

“I don’t believe there has ever been a minister who has so blandly disregarded the sector they are responsible for.

“As of December 29 Fermanagh and Omagh has one of the highest seven day per 100k of pop in the north with which is obviously concerning. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Peter Weir’s determination to reopen schools is not being supported with evidence.”

Mr. Caffrey said the Education Minister is showing a lack of knowledge on how schools operate and a lack of leadership.

With remote learning due to take place at the end of January, Mr. McCaffrey has questioned why that could not happen when students are due to return next week.

“If the Minister has plans for remote online learning at the end of January the question has to be asked why is he waiting until the end of the month and not now when we know there have been increased cases? Why not take decisive action now or at least provide some clarity to parent, teachers and pupils.”

Another teacher, Adam Gannon, also believes that online learning at first could be a better way, with students returning to school later on in January.

“The guidance from the Chief Medical Officer was that schools shouldn’t be returning and schools should be off now and you can see moves within the rest of the UK that schools aren’t going to be reopening after Christmas because you can see the spike.

“We are worse now in terms of Covid cases than we were at its worst point during the first wave and we closed schools then.

“It’s weird that we are going back to school for a couple of weeks and then going off again I don’t understand the logic behind it,” said Mr. Gannon.

“You’d think it would be flipped and schools would be closed for the first couple of weeks and then we gradually reopen or some sort of phased return or that exams classes come back straight away.”

Mr. Gannon raised the concern around students who are preparing for exams in January, in particular GCSE students, while Mr. McCaffrey has called for teacher assessed grades to be used for A-Level and GCSE.

“There is anxiety with students. One of my main concerns is GCSE students where there has been no changes made to the exams. They are going ahead as planned which isn’t right given what’s going on,” said Mr. Gannon.

Mr. McCaffrey added: “There is anxiety. The important thing is mental health of the children especially at secondary level. They are under huge pressure to perform in exams. I believe GSCE and A-Level exams should be cancelled and teacher assessed marks be given out.”

In his announcement that all schools and education setting were to reopen in the first week of January, Minister Weir said: “I am mindful of the impact the pandemic is having on our children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have a high number of vulnerable children in Northern Ireland, for many of these pupils school is a safe haven and closing schools will immediately deprive them of this safe space.

“That is why I have decided that it is in the best interests of all pupils for schools to open in the first week of January so that their education is not disrupted any further.

“I want to again thank school leaders, teachers and staff who have done tremendous work, under very difficult circumstances, to keep schools safe.

“I know that they will continue to reinforce departmental guidance, including the appropriate wearing of masks within schools and on school transport.

“For my part, I will consider what further steps can be taken to help and support schools and will continue to seek the views of principals, school staff and pupils on this issue.