Many schools reopened today after the Christmas break, but there are new warnings that the return might lead to increased spread of flu and COVID-19.

Hospitals across the country have become overwhelmed, with 838 patients waiting on trolleys on Wednesday - the second-highest figure ever recorded.

Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said that he is not "overly concerned" about parents sending their children to school while experiencing symptoms.

He told The Pay Kenny Show that parents and teachers need not panic as the usual protocol will be followed.

"We have heard the advice from the Chief Medical Officer and I suppose we'd be calling for kind of calm and common sense to prevail", he said.

"There's no need to panic. Schools are open today... and I think students and teachers alike are delighted to be back at it."

Mr Crone added: "We need to remember of course that the primary function of schools is learning. They're not medical establishments."

School post-pandemic

During the pandemic, he says, it became apparent how important school is for children, not just educationally, but socially.

"It's a really important part of their routine and their development", Mr Crone said.

"But we also have to bear in mind that schools have learned a huge amount during he pandemic."

"They've been given the grant for additional cleaning, they have the personal protection equipment, the sanitiser."

He is hopeful that the routines and procedures taken up over the past three years will mitigate the spread of viruses.

Sending children home

Mr Crone said that, while there are no huge concerns around rising case numbers in schools, students who are sick will be sent home — "that's what has always happened".

"You make a decision with the best information that you have at hand", he explained.

"A child may be fine or they may deteriorate during the day, then the school would contact the parent."

He expects that the current 'twindemic' that the health service is battling will not affect schools significantly.

Teachers

As schools were returning in September, Newstalk revealed that many were finding it “almost impossible” to fill teacher roles – especially in Dublin.

Teachers trying to make a living in the capital told the station the ‘crushing’ crises in housing and the cost-of-living were forcing people to leave the profession – or the country altogether.

With the current teach shortage, extra absences due to illness is "an area of concern" for schools.

"Obviously, if they are not well and they have symptoms, they shouldn't present to work", Mr Crone said.

"That's something that principals will manage on the ground and they have to look and see how they can provide substitution and health and safety."

"But at the moment, I think principals are being enthusiastically positive that things will work out."

Listen back to the full conversation here.

Main image shows primary school children in a classrom. Picture by: Chris Bull / Alamy