The attention of Principals and Boards of Management is drawn to the following statement issued by the Department of Education and Science on the re-opening of schools this week in the present adverse weather conditions
05 January, 2010 - Statement by the Department of Education and Science on the planned re-opening of schools this week
In relation to the planned re-opening of schools this week against the backdrop of bad weather conditions, the Department wishes to clarify that it is a matter for individual boards of management to decide whether local weather and road conditions warrant the closure of a school.
In making these decisions, schools should consider such issues as access and safety.
Schools are empowered to make such decisions locally without notifying the Department in advance.
Where days are lost during a school year due to bad weather or for other reasons - for example, heat or water systems failures - the board of management should make all reasonable efforts to make up these school days during the remainder of the same school year.
In relation to the operation of school bus transport services, Bus Éireann will make decisions locally based on its knowledge and assessment of prevailing conditions.
Decisions in relation to this matter must be made primarily in the interest of the Health and Safety of pupils and staff.
Principals and Chairpersons of Boards of Management should consult and decide on whether the local roads and school grounds are, or can be made, sufficiently safe for pupils and staff. It is advisable to check whether school transport will operate during the coming days.
Should it be considered necessary to close the school pupils/parents and staff should be given some indication as to when it might be possible to re-open. Communication with pupils/parents and staff should be through the most effective channels available to the school authorities, e.g. text alert, message on school’s answering machine, local radio etc. The date of re-opening should be confirmed once the Principal and Chairperson have made the decision that it is safe to re-open.
The Principal and Chairperson should continue to monitor the situation daily and keep the pupils/parents and staff informed of the ongoing situation based on the best information available re the weather forecast, road conditions etc.
A record should be maintained on the school files as to the process followed in making a decision on the date of re-opening the school.