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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (510)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

510. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills if steps are being taken to ensure standardisation and the establishment of best practice models for remote learning in the event of a further outbreak of Covid-19; and the additional investment in technology and online access in such an event. [14648/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Schools are best placed to determine how best to support the learning needs of their students based on their own context and circumstances. Central to this is the role of the teacher, as mediator and facilitator, in ensuring the continuity of engagement regardless of the mechanism chosen for that purpose.

During the school closures teachers were provided with guidance to ensure that they continued to work and engage with their pupils to ensure the continuity of schooling in the home environment.

This guidance was developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders – including teachers, parents and learners. There is ongoing consultation with the management bodies and unions from both sectors on all matters relating to Covid 19 including the reopening of schools for the coming school year. The current pandemic continues to have implications for all and this is likely to impact the operation of schools in the coming school year. Certain situations may give rise to a need for schools to develop alternative approaches to teaching and learning including the adoption of models of remote and blended learning in order to meet the needs of learners. My Department continues to work with all relevant stakeholders to inform further supports and guidance to schools to cater for this evolving situation. This will include relevant resources for schools on best practice models for remote/blended learning approaches and how to be plan contingency and appropriate responses in the event of future closure.

In relation to investment in technology and as part of the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment, funding of €210m for ICT Infrastructure will be distributed to schools over the five years of the Strategy. Some €160m of funding has issued to date. This includes €50m issuing earlier this year in the form of a grant payment to all eligible schools and included €10m top-up funding issued to schools to enable them to specifically support any of their students experiencing difficulty in engaging with remote learning. In the context of the current public health crisis the funding can be focussed on assisting schools to address ICT needs including the purchases of digital devices, software, essential learning platforms and other ICT solutions as determined by the needs of the individual school.

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