Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
655. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the guidelines for schools on their use of reduced hours for individual pupils will be completed; and if she plans to put in place a reporting and effective monitoring mechanism within the guidelines to ensure appropriate and limited use of reduced hours in schools and the necessary oversight at departmental level. [15725/20]
View answerDraft guidelines were developed to provide clarity to schools around reduced timetables and to set out the procedures to be followed by schools where such an option is being considered and used. The guidelines provide for TUSLA Education Support Service to be notified if a reduced timetable is implemented.
The aim is to ensure that the use of reduced timetables is limited solely to those circumstances where it is absolutely necessary. The draft guidelines are underpinned by the principles that a reduced timetable should not be used as a sanction; that it should be applied proportionately and should last only as long as is necessary to facilitate a return to school on a full-time basis.
A consultation process with education stakeholders was carried out as part of the overall process of finalising the guidelines. It is intended to publish guidelines on reduced timetables in due course. In the interim as the Deputy is aware school buildings have been closed since March 12 due to Covid 19 and teachers were engaging with pupils remotely.
During the Covid-19 school closure period, my Department issued guidance to schools on continuation of learning, and this includes guidance on supporting pupils with special needs and pupils at risk of educational disadvantage. Guidance for parents is also available, including guidance where parents are concerned about the level of contact between the school and their child. These guidelines are available at: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/continuity-of-schooling/continuity-of-schooling.html#schools.
