Prof Sam McConkey has called for schools to be reopened on a limited basis this month in order to see what measures will be necessary when they fully reopen in the new school year.
Under current Government plans, schools are not set to reopen until the new school year in late August or early September.
However, Prof McConkey told The Pat Kenny Show he feels some children should return to classrooms earlier than that.
He said: “I would support the idea of getting the creches open soon, and getting our primary and secondary schools open soon. When I say soon I mean June essentially, rather than September.
“If we wait until September, it will start probably in a gradualistic way with only a subset of the classes.
"Most likely we’ll have some phasing in… ways of learning hand-washing, splitting breaks at different times, physical distancing in the classroom, maybe some more teachers are needed.
“Rather than doing that learning in September, I think we should be trying out some phased pilots in June - maybe getting in third, fourth, fifth, six classes…. spreading them out over eight rooms rather than four, and having a better student to teacher ratio. Then we can learn and get confidence from that as to what needs to be changed."
Prof McConkey pointed to the example of Denmark, saying they've opened schools for several weeks and "everything seems to be fine there".
He said he understands there are genuine concerns, but suggested it’s time to communicate how successful Ireland has been in curbing the spread of the virus.
However, he acknowledged a number of measures - such as staggered opening times - will be necessary for any reopening schools.
He noted: “I’m not saying everything should go back to being the same, but I do feel our children’s education is essential for our whole society.
“I think it is a confidence building challenge rather than just a political one.
"Teachers need to be happy… parents, the boards of the schools, the owners, the patrons, the Department of Education all need to be part of this mix. I think we need a social partnership urgently.
“There’s a lot to be said for children getting into routines, and getting into the things that benefit them… having the structure to a day, and the physical exercise that school and structured team sports provide."
He said that while many people are currently "giving out about" young people gathering in groups outdoors, he's told Pat he's not convinced "they’re any different to you and I when we were young".
