A message I sent to our local senator re school closures:

Dear Senator, I write, to urge you, to start a conversation amongst your parliamentary and Government colleagues to bring about an extension of the school year beyond the traditional May/June finish to ensure children

can make-up classroom time that is being lost due to the current closures.

I fully understand the need for school closures. But, the conversation has to move on towards long term solutions. It is simply not credible that ‘blended learning’ at home is satisfactory to replace

classroom time.

Other sectors of civil society have adapted and displayed flexibility. It’s time for teachers to look beyond the current situation and advance more creditable solutions.

Unfortunately, vested union interest will prevent this. So it’s time for the Government

to bring about the measures to make this happen. Existing circulars allow for days lost to be made up.

I know you have an interest in education, and from your involvement in WWETB etc you will understand where this conversation needs to go to.

I urge you and your colleagues to

demonstrate the leadership that this issue now deserves, and stand up for parents and our children. @malcolmbyrne @mama_tude @NormaFoleyTD1 @LeoVaradkar @MichealMartinTD #schoolclosures #extendtheschoolcalendar