Schools ‘will not reopen’ in this academic year - but some pupils will return in August

Mr Weir also said there would be a phased return for the remainder of pupils during a meeting of a Stormont committee on Thursday.

Schools in Northern Ireland have been closed to all but the children of key workers since March during the coronavirus crisis.

The Minister said the reopening of schools would begin with “limited provision for key cohort years in August, followed by a phased provision for all pupils at the beginning of September”.

He told the committee: “Other than the provisions for children of key workers and vulnerable children already mentioned, there will be no overall reopening of schools during the remainder of this academic year.

“Subject to medical guidance and safety it would be my aim to see a phased reopening of schools, beginning with a limited provision for key cohort years in late August, followed by phased provision for all pupils at the beginning of September.

“This will not be a return to school as it was prior to Covid, but rather a new normal reflective of social distancing and a medically safe regime.

“For all pupils it will involve a schedule with a mixture of school attendance and remote learning at home.

“Finally, in line with the Executive Strategy, contingent upon medical guidance and scientific evidence around susceptibility and transmission, consideration may be given to a full return for cohorts of younger pupils.

“In closing Mr Deputy Speaker, may I say this is the biggest public health crisis we have faced in living memory and the Executive’s priority is to help keep people safe and to support those who have faced real hardship.”