The ASTI says between 15 and 30% of teachers aren’t in class today, due to covid related absences.
The union has also hit out at the Department of Education for not providing medical grade face masks ahead of schools reopening today.
Between 2,700 and 4,500 secondary school teachers are missing their first day of term today, and the ASTI is criticising the Department for failing to provide high grade FFP2 masks to teachers.
The Irish Primary School Principal Network expects staff levels to be down between 15 and 20%.
Schools are prioritising special classes, younger pupils and exam students for in-person teaching.
Outbreaks
There were more Covid outbreaks linked to schools in the second half of last year than any other public place.
New HPSC figures show just over 4,100 outbreaks were recorded from the end of June to the end of December.
514 of them were associated with schools - followed by workplaces at 458.
Overall, the highest number was family outbreaks in private homes at 919.
