Taoiseach Micheál Martin today stated “Education is the great equalizer” yet today’s announcements on school closures will further disadvantage some of the most disadvantaged children in our education system.

Whilst NPC welcomes the government announcement to keep special classes and special schools open, the lack of provision for children living with significant disadvantage in today’s announcement is of grave concern. For children living in homeless accommodation, in significant poverty, in homes that are challenged by addiction and abuse, schools are a refuge.

Children that are struggling with educational disadvantage are less likely to have the supports and resources at home that they will need to engage with remote learning during the month of January. These children are already falling behind their peers and a second school closure will have long lasting impacts for some.

NPC calls on the government to urgently review school based learning for these most vulnerable children and to look for solutions that will allow them to attend school during January.