‘Pandemic has exposed serious under-investment in school buildings’ – ASTI President
ASTI President Ann Piggott has called for a programme of investment in school buildings in the upcoming Budget.
An ASTI survey* carried out in late July/ early August has found that school principals faced serious infrastructural challenges as they were preparing to re-open their schools in line with the government’s Roadmap and Covid-19 Response Plan for Schools.
Findings from the survey include:
• 84% of principals said their school did not have a dedicated ventilation system;
• 25% of principals said their school did not have warm water in the school’s toilet facilities;
Commenting on the findings, ASTI President Ann Piggott said:
“This pandemic has put the spotlight on our underfunded schools. It is now glaringly obvious that Irish second-level schools operate on a shoe-string budget, with most schools having to fundraise to meet some of their day-to-day running costs. This lack of investment must be addressed if schools are to continue to operate safely in the context of Covid-19.”
With the number of students attending Irish schools increasing this year, principals also expressed concerns about the feasibility of social distancing for students throughout school buildings. More than 70% of principals surveyed rated the feasibility of social distancing in school corridors and other communal areas as weak.
In addition, principals surveyed said that while the appointment of additional second-level teachers is to be welcomed, the measure is inadequate in terms of achieving manageable class sizes and cover for Covid-19 sick leave during the pandemic.
“The findings confirm the enormous pressure placed on principals to prepare plans for the safe re-opening of schools and the ongoing concerns they have around issues such as social distancing, sanitation and ventilation.”
*The survey was carried out by Europlan Group on behalf of the ASTI.
