Schools face new rules for days lost over bad weather [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 March 2011
SCHOOLS face new rules next year about making up days lost through unexpected closures because of extreme weather.
Pupils and teachers may have to cut short the February mid-term break or the Easter holidays to compensate for shutdowns caused by severe conditions, such as the heavy snow which disrupted schools from late November.
A new contingency plan to apply in cases of unforeseen closure has been drafted in talks between the Department of Education, school management bodies and teacher unions, the Irish Independent has learned.
Schools will be obliged to open for the first three days of the Easter break and for up to three of the five days allowed for the February mid-term break, if necessary. It will mean parents and teachers will have to think twice before booking holidays in advance for the two spring breaks.
The standardised school year was introduced a number of years ago, fixing specific dates for holidays and mid-term breaks up to three years in advance, mainly for the benefit of working parents.
However, the severe weather over the past two winters caused massive disruption to schools, highlighting the need for flexibility in the school calendar to ensure pupils do not lose out on teaching.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
