Sir, – We welcome the substantial consideration and planning that has gone into ensuring schools reopen safely and securely for all children and staff over the coming few weeks.
However, as schools return, we are concerned about the notable absence of further information on a Government catch-up plan for children whose learning and development were negatively impacted by the extended lockdowns and periods of home-schooling.
Parents tell us they are worried about their children. Nearly 1,500 parents participated in the Barnardos Back to School Survey.
Of those, over 62 per cent of parents said they were concerned about the educational development of their child, while a substantial 65 per cent of parents stated that their children will need support on returning to school. Despite this, almost half of parents are not confident that these support needs will be met on return to school.
In June, the Department of Education announced that a funding package to help make up for the impact of the pandemic on young people’s education was “in the works”. We are still waiting.
With schools reopening next week, and parents and children’s anxiety potentially high, we believe it is now imperative that Minister for Education Norma Foley sets out the additional supports that will be made available to help children whose development, particularly educational development, has suffered enormously in the past 18 months. – Yours, etc,
SUZANNE
CONNOLLY,
Chief Executive,
Barnardos,
Dublin 8.