Coronavirus: Authorities do not know how many Northern Irish schools are shut

Northern Ireland’s educational authorities said they cannot put a figure on how many schools are closed at present due to fears around coronavirus.
By Adam Kula
Published 16th Mar 2020, 17:19 BST
Some classrooms are empty today... but education authorities were unable to say how manySome classrooms are empty today... but education authorities were unable to say how many
Some classrooms are empty today... but education authorities were unable to say how many

Today it emerged that St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls in west Belfast has been closed for the rest of the week after a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.

The BBC reported 10 special schools in Belfast had shut.

When the News Letter contacted the Department of Education to ask for a tally of closures Province-wide, it referred the paper to the Education Authority.

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When contacted, the Education Authority then tried to refer the News Letter back to the Department for Education.

Eventually the Department of Education issued a statement which said: “The department is only made aware of school closures when a school applies for an exceptional closure.

“We will not be aware of schools who have chosen to close without seeking [departmental] approval.

“The department has received several applications from schools for exceptional closures linked to Covid-19.”

Related topics:Department of EducationCoronavirusBBCCovid-19BelfastEducation AuthorityProvince