Peter Weir: Decision on reopening Northern Ireland schools could be made on Thursday

Definitive decisions may be made on Thursday on reopening schools in Northern Ireland, the education minister said.
Education Minister Peter WeirEducation Minister Peter Weir
Education Minister Peter Weir

Peter Weir added he would not want to wait more than a week before making a decision.

The Stormont Executive has already said it will be March 8 at the earliest before schools can open their gates to more pupils.

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Mr Weir told BBC Evening Extra: “If it is not something definitive on Thursday it would need to be something fairly soon after that.”

Current arrangements only allow vulnerable children and those of key workers to attend class, until Friday March 5.

Whether or not schools will open fully on Monday, March 8 remains in doubt and will depend on the public health situation.

If the current remote learning arrangements are altered on March 8, all pupils may not be able to get back into classroom immediately.

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Mr Weir has previously raised the potential of a phased return, with those in key exam years returning first.

On Tuesday, he said: “It is important that people are given notice but we have also got to bear in mind that there has got to be decisions…looking at where things are in terms of the public health situation.”