Coronavirus: Extended closure for schools to be expected

By Anamika

Minister for Education, Joe McHugh confirmed today that all schools will remain closed beyond 29th March.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM, earlier today, he said that he is waiting for the confirmation from all schools about the closure at least by today or tomorrow.

“We don’t know where we are going to be in terms of the peak of this virus,” he said.

Despite the uncertainty over the surge of cases, he emphasises that the government is committed to ensuring that the exams will be scheduled when the crisis is under control.

Further adding that currently, they are adhering to guidelines provided by health experts.

He said: “I think we owe it to those young people who are studying and putting in the effort to see this through to try to have these exams this year. When I say this year, I mean the dates that are defined for this year.”

During a televised speech last week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that restrictions might go on longer than 29th March.

Leaving Cert, Junior Cert orals and practical exams were all cancelled last week in order to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.