A new programme called Covid Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) is being put in place by the Department of Education to help schools mitigate the adverse impacts of Covid-19 on pupil/student learning loss and wellbeing arising from the periods of school closures in 2020 and 2021.
Down Syndrome Ireland welcomes the additional measures being taken to support schools and their pupils/students with Down syndrome to mitigate the impact of disruption to their in-school education resulting from Covid-19. The measures will be delivered in schools over the 2021-2022 school year.
The new programme comprises two main elements:
- The provision of additional teaching hours to schools to support their work in addressing learning loss among pupils/students arising from periods of school closures;
- Opportunities for schools to share practice which is considered to be most effective in mitigating learning loss among pupils/students
Under the programme, additional teaching hours are being provided to schools for the 2021/22 school year as a once-off temporary allocation. With this once-off allocation, schools can provide additional teaching support to pupils/students who, in their view, arising from Covid-19 disruption are at increased risk of learning loss and/or at risk of early school leaving. Guidance is also provided for schools in relation to how the additional teaching hours should be best used.
Full details and guidance on the measures are available at the following links:
Covid-19 Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) Guidance for Primary and Special Schools
Covid-19 Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) Guidance for Post Primary Schools
