Schools will be closed for vulnerable children and children of key workers for two weeks as part of the wider covid restrictions announced by the Executive today.
All schools and will have the half-term holiday break extended from 19 to 30 October. As this is an extension of the half-term break, the Education Minister said it is not intended to be used for remote learning.
The Department of Education is asking schools to use two of their existing Optional Days with the remainder of the additional time off through the use of automatically allocated Exceptional Closure Days.
Schools will reopen on November 2.
Education Minister Peter Weir said direct payments will be made to pupils in receipt of Free School Meals during the week of 19 October.
Peter Weir said: “Schools are closed to all pupils. Principals should only bring staff into school during optional and exceptional closure days where they are unable to work from home. As this is an extension of the half-term break, it is not intended to be used for remote learning.
“The Education Authority (EA) will maintain support for vulnerable children during this period by ensuring essential support services including child protection, continue to operate as normal and maintain regular contact with those families.
“My Department, together with the Department of Health will continue to work together to prioritise those children most at risk.”
“This year has been a stressful time for schools, pupils and parents. I want to thank principals, teachers and school staff for their dedication and commitment to keeping schools a safe and welcoming place for pupils to learn.”
Read more: The new Covid-19 restrictions - What you can and can't do in Northern Ireland
