IPPN & NPC Joint Statement on School Closures due to COVID-19 measures
During these unprecedented times, IPPN and NPC are in agreement that a mutually supportive partnership in local school communities between school and home will be critical to supporting children’s education in the coming weeks, during mandated school closures.
IPPN and NPC will work together with other national stakeholders in the coming weeks to support school communities to best support children’s learning.
Páiric Clerkin, CEO of IPPN, stated that ‘Naturally, pupils, parents, staff and Boards all have questions and need assurance that the very best is being done to support children’s learning. In responding to this crisis, IPPN has focused our attention on providing school leaders with the most up-to-date information and guidance, as well as practical supports. Our website www.ippn.ie continues to be the one-stop-shop for key information.’
Áine Lynch, CEO of NPC, encourages parents to support their children’s learning through this period in partnership with their school, to ensure the least impact on their children’s learning.
IPPN Supports
IPPN will continue to provide support and guidance to concerned school leaders through the Leadership Support service (1890 21 22 23 / info@ippn.ie). TextaParent SMS units will be provided to all schools that request them, without requiring up-front payment, to ensure that no school would run out of ‘credit’ in communicating urgent information to parents - email info@textaparent.ie.
IPPN urges all members to keep up to date with the latest information from the HSE and the DES and to follow their guidance. As always, we are here to support school leaders who have queries, or if you need help with a critical issue in your school. Please bear with us if you cannot get through to the Support Office immediately, as the number of calls has increased significantly in recent weeks. We will endeavour to respond to all calls and emails within 24 hours, in order of receipt, during office opening hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00.