Only seven pupils turned up at Claremorris Boys National School this morning, according to principal Mark Loftus.
The school told parents last week that it had decided to close for the Christmas break on Friday, because of the high number of children who had tested positive.It reiterated that schools were obliged to remain open until Tuesday 22 December and on Friday evening the school agreed to do so. The remaining 45 or so students are obliged to remain at home because they have been deemed to be close contacts, or have themselves tested positive.
Sixteen pupils have tested positive for the virus over the past few weeks. The wider Claremorris area has one of the highest incidences of the virus nationally - at three times the average national rate. However, last week public health officials stopped short of advising the closure of the school, because they had no evidence that the virus was being transmitted within the school itself.He has called for boards of management to be given proper autonomy to make decisions they believe are in the best interests of school communities.
Mr Loftus said: "People are perplexed. The have volunteered to sit on a Board of Management. It is undermining and quite insulting if they can't be allowed to make a decision for the common good."We are only thinking of what is best for the community."
I do think head teacher’s should be able to decide to close and reopen there schools. Why should they be over ruled. Time Ireland maned up to a single point of responsibility. Head Teacher Buck stops there.
Well done to those 7
when it comes to kids safety, I think their parents know best
7 too many.
Real virus is Irish government . frightening kids over an olde flu. Shame
I guess the parents of those 7 pupils weren't in the whatsapp group where they all freaked each other out.
I would have done the same thing, the principal knows best
Good thing the pubs are closed. That would have been an awkward meeting of the parents this weekend.