Schools set to reopen on March 1, but only for some classes

When the country will reopen is at the forefront of all of our minds.

While we may not know when we will be completely out of lockdown, during the week big decisions were made on a lot of matter involving education. These decisions included when Primary schools will reopen and how the Leaving Cert examinations will precede. [caption id="attachment_516737" align="aligncenter" width="1365"] Shot taken outside a school closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[/caption] According to Taoiseach Micheál Martin it is likely that Leaving Cert students, as well as Junior and Senior infants Primary school pupils will return to school on March 1. The Taoiseach went on to say that fifth-year students may also return to school next month, based on how the numbers look over the next couple of weeks. Some clarity has been given on how the Leaving Cert and how it will go ahead this year after the Cabinet signed off on a proposal on Wednesday afternoon. This new proposal will give Leaving Cert students the option of a calculated grade, or a written exam in each subject. For those who opt to take their exams this year the Leaving Cert oral exams will be held during the Easter holidays or shortly afterwards. On the other hand students who opt for predicted grades will not sit oral exams. The Junior Cert however will not be going ahead this year and it is still uncertain as to when classes outside of Junior and Senior infants and those in the Leaving Cert cycle will be able to return to school. There has also been talks about bringing children with additional needs into school earlier than some other pupils. The current plan is to get as many students as is felt safe back into classrooms within the next two weeks with the hope that all can return before summer.