NI schools reopening could be ‘next care home crisis’ warning from union

Justin McCamphill of the NASUWT said the full return to the classroom, which is due to take place from next week, is high risk as many school principals have not been properly trained to carry out risk assessments.

On Friday’s BBC Radio Nolan Show, the union official said: “Pupils are going to be in school on Monday and this is an absolutely shocking state of affairs.

“In fact, I predict that this will be the next care home crisis. I can see the same mistakes being made again and again.”

Covid-19 has been factor in more than 400 care home deaths in Northern Ireland to date.

Mr McCamphill added: “They [principals] haven’t had any training and they haven’t had any advice on how to do a risk assessment for the whole setting.”

The NASUWT union represents around 11,000 teachers in Northern Ireland.

Earlier this month, Mr McCamphill said he had “no confidence” in the education minister’s plan for a full return to school in September.

Mr McCamphill said the NASUWT is “prepared to take legal action against schools that endanger members and have written to all employing authorities pointing that out”.