Reopening schools not my decision says Education minister

Education Minister Peter Weir was unable to lift the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of schools when he appeared at the Stormont education committee yesterday.
By Niall Deeney
Published 11th Feb 2021, 07:48 BST
Updated 11th Feb 2021, 09:37 BST
Education Minister Peter Weir during a visit to St Joseph's Primary School, Carryduff, Belfast, as schools in Northern Ireland reopen to pupils following the coronavirus lockdown.Education Minister Peter Weir during a visit to St Joseph's Primary School, Carryduff, Belfast, as schools in Northern Ireland reopen to pupils following the coronavirus lockdown.
Education Minister Peter Weir during a visit to St Joseph's Primary School, Carryduff, Belfast, as schools in Northern Ireland reopen to pupils following the coronavirus lockdown.

The DUP minister, whose party has been calling for school reopening to be prioritised, said he is unable to go on a “solo run” and insisted the decision will be made by the Executive as a whole.

As things stand, the current period of school closure is set to come to an end on March 8 – the first Monday after the current period of strict lockdown is set to expire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the Executive is due to meet on February 18, exactly one week from today, to consider a possible extension of lockdown.

Mr Weir confirmed school reopening would form part of those discussions when he appeared before MLAs yesterday morning.

“I wouldn’t want to and can’t be in a position where I can simply go on a solo run as regards schools,” he said.

“I will have views on it. I will make those views clear to the Executive but it’s not purely my decision.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Currently, schools are closed to most pupils for face-to-face learning although some provision has been made for the children of workers considered ‘essential’ by the government such as frontline health staff and people who work in food shops.

Special schools, however, have remained open throughout the current period of lockdown.

It was announced last month that some staff who work in special schools would be entitled to vaccination against coronavirus following an agreement between the Health Minister Robin Swann and Mr Weir.

Appearing alongside Mr Weir at the Stormont committee yesterday, departmental official Ricky Irwin said a list of the most clinically vulnerable children who attend special schools is currently being drawn up – and the staff who look after them “in close proximity for a prolonged period of time” in order to determine eligibility for priority vacccinations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Weir was also asked by his party colleague Maurice Bradley whether schools would have enough notice for reopening if the Executive chooses not to extend closures beyond March 8.

“I think the mechanics of that is something that shouldn’t be too difficult,” the minister said.

He said work has been ongoing on a number of “mitigation” measures to ensure safety that would be “ready to roll” if full reopening goes ahead next month.

Related topics:Peter WeirDUPMaurice BradleyRobin SwannMLAs