In providing guidance for higher education providers to return to learning safely for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department published a three-pillar guidance framework, consistent with public health requirements. This included an adaptation framework to assist institutions to continuously adapt to meet the challenges posed by this pandemic.
Further to this framework, the higher education sector, in collaboration with my Department and public health authorities, has developed a response plan for managing outbreaks of COVID-19 in educational settings.
When the framework was initially published the prevailing public health situation was one that supported a return to on-site learning. However as a result of recent developments the balance between on-site and online provision was adjusted.
On 18 September in response to a recommendation from NPHET and a subsequent request from Government, the Higher Education system in Dublin committed to minimise on-site teaching and learning, in light of the deteriorating disease situation in the county. Then on 25 September, following further consideration of the evolving situation, the Acting Chief Medical Officer requested that consideration be given to the introduction of similar measures for all HEIs nationwide to ensure safe continuation or recommencement of activities across the country.
This reflected concerns in relation to the potential impact of recommencement of campus higher education programmes on the epidemiological situation in light of emerging evidence from the UK where institutions have already re-opened and significant issues in the US when programmes recommenced there during the summer.
Each institution and provider has developed and continues to actively reshape detailed planning and contingencies for on-site and online provision, within a blended model of learning aligned to public health advice. This planning is supported by existing sectoral COVID-19 structures and guidance. In addition, institutions are committed to working closely with public health authorities at regional and national level to respond quickly and effectively to any emerging issues.