THERE are no plans for schools in the North of Ireland to close early for Christmas to ease Coronavirus-related pressure, MLAs have been told.
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen told the Assembly that she understood concerns expressed by some teaching unions.
However, the DUP Ministr said that classroom-based teaching remained the best option for all pupils.
Last week, the teachers’ union NASUWT called for schools to close early as a circuit breaker.
But on Monday, Ms McIlveen said that proposal could cause harm to many pupils if they were to miss class.
“As a society while we’re conscious of watching out for the health service, we need to be mindful that we watch out for our schools,” she added.
The minister acknowledged the current high level of Covid infection in schools and in the community had “made it very challenging for schools”.
Any decision to close schools early would need to be taken collectively by the Stormont Executive.
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