Thousands of children with special needs are returning to the classroom today, with the reopening of special schools.
Classes will initially be limited to 50% capacity, with students going to school every second day.
It comes as special classes in secondary schools look set to resume on February 22nd, after teachers and SNAs announced they'd back the move.
Ministers @NormaFoleyTD1 and @josephamadigan welcome agreed plan of the return of in-person teaching and learning for children in Special Classes at Post-Primary schools on 22 February https://t.co/ZgXolMbqgK
— education.ie (@Education_Ire) February 10, 2021
The Teachers Union of Ireland says it would also facilitate the return of Leaving Cert students on the same week, subject to public health advice.
The Education Minister Norma Foley said she was pleased to see the classes return.
“These special classes support some of our most vulnerable students,” she said.
“The return to in-person teaching and learning is vital to these students and I want to thank everyone who has engaged in this process to reach a solution which is aimed at meeting their needs.”
Minister Foley said “intensive engagement” on the full reopening of schools is continuing.
