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The DES mess: a thread. Hindsight is 20/20 and these times are unprecedented, etc. Platitudes aside, however, these past few weeks have been a masterclass in how not to run a Department of Education. #edchatie 1/n
The Department's lack of meaningful communication and engagement with major stakeholders and (ostensible) partners eroded trust at a time that a big ask was being made of school staff. 2/n
After we were plunged into Lockdown 1 in March, teachers, SNAs, school management and BoMs responded to the best of their abilities with the skills and technologies available to us. The response wasn't perfect, certainly not uniform, but we were unprepared. 3/n
The chronic underfunding in school ICT and national broadband came home to roost. A digital divide was starkly revealed and inequalities in society, particularly among the most vulnerable, widened. 4/n
Since then, there has been time to rectify so many of these issues. Where has been the CPD for all educators in online platforms and teaching? Why has a national e-learning platform not been looked at? This current school shutdown, while not inevitable, was likely. 5/n
What strikes me most tonight is the callous treatment of families of pupils with ASN by the DES. To dangle the reopening on Monday in front of them without a solid plan or buy-in from staff, only to snatch it away, is monstrous. These families need our support. 6/n
The sad part is, the will to provide this was there in staff, provided necessaries steps were taken. A small degree of consideration for Covid levels in society, childcare for teachers/SNAs, school bus logistics etc would have gone a long way. 7/n
Worse still, this is fuel to the fire to those who view school staff as cosseted and work-shy. No member of staff should be put in the way of unnecessary harm in their workplace. (Note: unnecessary harm; we all live with some risk in these Covid times.) 8/n
The DES, though its rushed 'planning' has needlessly pitted teachers and SNAs against vulnerable families when the reality is every professional I know, teacher and SNA, wants only the best for their pupils. Equally our ancillary staff do trojan work. 9/n
School staff were not found wanting since reopening in Term 1. We are ready to serve and want only basic protections. I applaud @INTOnews, @forsa_union_ie, PP unions and others for the stand taken today. Ní neart go cur le chéile! Rant over! n/n
