DUP and Sinn Fein on collision course over reopening of schools

Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin said the reproduction rate of the virus, referred to as the R-number, would “ideally” need to drop below one before pupils return.

The UUP’s education spokesperson Robbie Butler, meanwhile, told the News Letter he hoped the R-number could be reduced but said his party won’t “shy away from making tough decisions” if that doesn’t happen.

Th Alliance education spokesperson Chris Lyttle said his party would be “guided” by the medical evidence on any possible school closure.

The latest estimate of the R-number is above one.

Appearing on the BBC’s ‘Sunday Politics’ show, Ms Ni Chuilin was asked if the Executive has set a target R number before schools can reopen.

“Ideally we need to get it below one,” she said.

The communities minister also warned about the behaviour of some when leaving and collecting pupils at school.

“The measures schools staff have adhered to have been great but we need to look at behaviour when we are dropping kids off and picking kids up.

“I know that schools have done their best but the issue is still with us. Today we have over 30 people in intensive care fighting for their lives. We still have a big job of work and we need to get that R rate down.”

The two-week closure of schools, which is set to come to an end one week from today, involved extending the half-term break through the use of ‘Exceptional Closure Days’ .

If they are to remain closed beyond November 2, it would require a proposal to be approved by the Executive this week.

But the DUP MLA Gary Middleton said teachers, parents, and pupils need “certainty” and promised his party would prioritise keeping schools open.

“The Executive has agreed that schools will reopen on on November 2 and teachers, parents and pupils need certainty that education will continue in a classroom setting,” he said.

“Keeping our schools open is a priority for the DUP. ”

Alliance MLA Mr Lyttle said : “Such closures of schools should only ever be considered when absolutely necessary and be accompanied by Department of Education resourced access to robust remote learning. We will continue to be guided by the medical evidence.”

UUP MLA Mr Butler said: “What one would hope is that, with the restrictions that have come into place, that we will see a rapid fall in the rate of spread. The rapid fall that is hopefully happening at the moment will mean that children aren’t out of school any longer than they need to be. It’s also important to remember the impact can be disproportionately felt by those children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those in special education.”

He added: “For us, public safety remains the priority. We won’t shy away from making tough decisions.”