EDUCATION minister Michelle McIlveen yesterday said it would cost around £40 million to install air filters into 20,000 classrooms as she defended her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in schools.
The DUP minister also said she would not hesitate to make such a bid "if the evidence supports such investment", but said there was limited evidence of the effectiveness of air filtration systems stemming the spread of Covid-19.
It came as she was accused of "dithering" in her response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis as the Assembly was recalled to debate pressures faced in the classrooms amid rising Covid cases and staffing issues.
The recall came after a motion was submitted by Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, who said it was "about accountability and this Assembly holding this minister to account" with issues raised including staff shortages, ventilation systems, exam contingency plans and contact tracing.
Pat Sheehan speaking during the Assembly debate:
Opening the debate, he said there "is no silver bullet or panacea" to resolve current Covid pressures, but called for a "combination of measures and a range of issues to be introduced in schools to make them safer for staff and for students".
"Two years into this pandemic, Ms McIlveen has no plan, she has made no proposals, she has brought nothing to the Executive, and she has not asked for money for air filtration systems," he said.
"That's her responsibility as education minister and she has totally failed this basic test.
"Opening windows in classes isn't going to cut it. While our children are shivering in their classrooms, the minister is dithering in the department. It's time for action, it's time for action now."
UUP MLA Robbie Butler said it was "vital every measure is taken" in schools "not only to reduce the risk but also to build confidence in those who work and learn there", while Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said young people are asking the assembly and the minister what is being done to protect them.
Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit said "to say that the minister has managed Covid in schools abysmally would be to put it mildly" and called for "proper ventilation in school settings".
TUV leader Jim Allister described the motion as "a stunt", while DUP MLA Robin Newton said "parents and teachers deserve better than political posturing like recalling the Assembly for what is little more than a political stunt".
"I'm sure the minister will spend wisely any money allocated by the finance minister and this pan-nationalist front signing this motion," he said.
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan took exception to Mr Newton's claim and said "it doesn't matter what walk of life, so don't try and turn something as fundamental as children's education into a sectarian argument or bunfight, because that is not what this is".
Defending her handling of the crisis, Ms McIlveen said there was "no magic one thing that can be put in place in schools other than a continued focus on all those things that work".
Ms McIlveen speaking during the Assembly debate:
Addressing the issue of air filtration systems, she said they are not the "magic solution to ending Covid-19 transmission in schools".
"At a conservative estimate, it would cost around £40 million to install them across 20,000 classrooms," she said.
"If the evidence supports such investments I will have no hesitation in bidding for such funds for the Executive and the minister of finance.
"However, I will not move ahead of the evidence and recklessly spend public money."
Ms McIlveen said she is investing £2 million this year on ventilation works, including replacing old and defective windows, Co2 monitors, and an initial 100 air filtration units.
She said action had been taken on workforce shortages, including asking recently retired teachers to return, resulting in more than 100 putting their name on the substitute teachers' register.
Ms McIlveen said she has asked education bodies to identify qualified teachers who could be deployed and spoken with higher education institutions around final year student teachers playing more of a role.
She said performance reviews and teacher appraisals will be paused this academic year, while schools inspections remain paused.
Ms McIlveen is working with exams body CCEA to ensure 2022 grading at GCSE and A-level "takes account of disruption experienced by learners and that they are not disadvantaged due to the pandemic" with detailed contingency plans for public exams in place.
Mr Sheehan's motion was passed following an oral vote.
