Anxious Students and Parents Voice Health Fears, Seek New Supports Ahead of Schools Reopening

Survey reveals concerns around lack of communication, facilities and resources

The ISSU, NCPPP, IGC, and UNICEF are urgently calling on the Government to provide the additional resources students need this Autumn, as preparations continue for the safe reopening of schools after COVID-19 closures. There are serious concerns about student welfare and the impact of distance learning. Plans for the reopening of schools must consequently be developed in consultation with the wider school community, and communicated clearly, ahead of the fast-approaching 2020/21 school year.

The representative groups are reacting to a recent survey of 11,615 students, parents and guardians by the ISSU and the NPCPP, which indicates significant concern around the return to school. 

The groups have joined together to ensure the needs of students are addressed. Key concerns are: missed educational/developmental milestones for young people transitioning from primary to post-primary school, and out of post-primary education, health and wellbeing impacts and learning loss.

Survey findings

The core findings of the survey, conducted in June and July 2020, are outlined below. The full survey and its results can be found here .

Transitions: 

• 24.08% of respondents raised concerns around transitioning back to school in September. 2020 and the lack of guidance provided to date, specifically for incoming first-year students

• Participants sought an induction programme for adjusting back to school.

Health and well-being:

• 29% of respondents had concerns around their physical health amid reopening.

• 662 comments were made regarding stress, of which 62% were contributed by students.

• 353 comments relating to anxiety were made, 70% were made by parents/guardians.

• Additional mental health resources were highlighted as a priority need.

Learning Loss:

• Over 51% of respondents noted concerns regarding academic issues. 

• A common concern for students was that distance learning leaves them at a disadvantage, starting the new school year already behind. 

In assessing the concerns highlighted, the groups are making the following recommendations: 

Support students’ health and wellbeing, especially those most disadvantaged by school closures

• Increase one-to-one support for students through the reinstatement of dedicated Guidance Counsellor hours to support their social-emotional wellbeing, and deal with anxieties around academic and vocational challenges. 

• Provide extra guidance to students transitioning through educational/developmental milestones or transitioning from primary to post-primary, and out of post-primary. 

• Provide a back-to-school wellbeing programme to address the social, mental, physical and environmental consequences of the pandemic and school closures. 

• Implement additional learning programmes and social supports to address learning loss, particularly for vulnerable or at-risk students, and/or those with special educational needs.

Adapt courses to account for the loss of learning due to school closures 

• Immediate review and adaptation of syllabi and examinations for all subjects at both Junior and Senior Cycle to ensure they are carried out in an equitable way. 

• Adaptations made to specific years or programmes - like Transition Year - must ensure learning, skills and experiences are not compromised. 

Safeguard the health and safety of the school community 

• Provide the necessary sanitation facilities and implement social distancing, hygiene and cleaning practices. 

• Share clear, concise and accurate information about COVID-19, to combat the spread of misinformation which exacerbates fear and anxiety 

ISSU, NPCPP, IGC and UNICEF further recommend that the Department of Education & Skills designate schools’ COVID-19 liaisons to coordinate the implementation of these measures, monitor health and safety and oversee contingency planning and the strengthening of remote learning practices in the event of future school closures.

Ráiteas ANDIÉ: Dul chun cinn le Torthaí na hArdteiste 2020

Tá díomá orainn go léir san ANDIÉ nach raibh guth na ndaltaí tógaithe san áireamh sa chinneadh seo, agus nach rabhamar coimeádaithe ar an eolas faoin gcinneadh seo roimh a fhógraíodh inné é (16ú Iúil).

Tá daltaí ag roinnt a gcuid smaointí linn agus beimid i dteagmháil leis an Roinn chun na smaointí sin a chur in iúl. 

Is léir go bhfuil tábhacht leis an gcumarsáid agus na scoileanna dúnta ón 12ú Márta. Tá súil againn san aontas go leanfaidh an comhrá leis na páirtithe leasmhara ar aghaidh sna hamanna deacaire seo san oideachas. 

Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil caidreamh láidir idir pháirtithe leasmhara agus an Roinn, agus is mór an trua é gur bhfuair daltaí na hArdteiste an t-eolas seo ó na meáin.

Cuirimid fáilte roimh an amlíne deimhnithe ach glacaimid go mbeidh tionchar diúltach aige seo ar chumas na ndaltaí ullmhú agus iad ag bogadh ar aghaidh sa saol. Ón bhfórógra tá daltaí na hArdteiste tar éis a gcuid smaointí a chur in iúl dúinn, agus tá súil againn go oibreoidh an Roinn chun tionchar diúltach an chinneadh seo a laghdú. 

Déanaimid comhghairdeachas leis an t-Aire Foley agus í tar éis socruithe a dhéanamh le UCAS, ach tá sé ríthábhachtach treoirlínte a fháilt go luath chun cinntiú nach mbeidh míbhuntáiste ar dhaltaí atá ag iarradh a gcuid stáidéir a dhéanamh thar lear. 

Glacaimid an chúis leis an moill seo, chun cinntiú go bhfuil na torthaí i mbliana ag an gcineál céanna le bhlianta eile - tá sé ríthábhachtach go bhfuil cáilíocht na ndaltaí ag leibhéal cothrom i gcomparáid le bhlianta eile agus glacaimid tábhacht an phróisis le seo. 

Leanfaidh an ANDIÉ ag lorg freagraí ón Roinn agus tá súil againn go chinntóidh na himeachtaí seo go mbeidh caidreamh cumarsáide níos láidre ann sa todhchaí idir na ndaltaí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile. 

ISSU Statement : Leaving Certificate Results Release and Progression

The ISSU is disappointed to not have been included in the discussion around the Leaving Certificate results release prior to it being announced on Thursday 16th July. 

Students are sharing their queries and concerns with the ISSU and we will communicate these with the Department to seek clarity on all matters of concern as soon as possible.

The importance of effective collaboration and communication has been pivotal since the closure of schools on March 12th. The ISSU would hope for this approach of engagement with all  stakeholders to continue going forward in navigating through this difficult time in education. Students are understandably frustrated that this information has come completely out of the blue through media sources, without a centralised line of communication.

We welcome the fact that a clear timeline has been announced and students now know when they will have their results. However, with the release of results being delayed by three weeks, this will undoubtedly have a negative impact for some students in their ability to prepare for the transition to the next step in their education. Since the announcement, concerns have been expressed by students on the difficulties this may cause in securing accommodation and the financial implications this delay could have. We expect the Department to work to address and find remedies to these impacts so students may progress to the next stages of their lives.

We congratulate Minister Foley on reaching an agreement with UCAS, however it is imperative that the guidelines on procedures for students applying overseas is disseminated as soon as possible to ascertain that these students will not be disadvantaged.

We are aware that the reason for the delay is that these results need to be able to stand up to scrutiny and to ensure the integrity of the Leaving Certificate State Examinations - it is vital that students' qualifications are of an equal standard to other years and we recognise the national standardisation process is essential in ensuing this.

The ISSU will continue to seek answers to these questions from the Department and we hope that these series of events will ensure there is a stronger line of communication and consultation between students and other stakeholders going forward. 

Anti-Racism Resource Book Launch

We, the Irish Second-Level Students Union, stand in full solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

We cannot ignore racism and discrimination. We must confront it, in ourselves, in our society and especially at school.

The ISSU have created an anti-racism resource book to help you safely take action and to help you understand and support this Global Movement.

Is féidir leat é a fháil anseo

ISSU Calls for Renewal of Department of Children & Youth Affairs

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU)  is calling on all political leaders to ensure the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

In 2011 the Irish government established the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). This was a milestone in Irish history and a proud achievement - our government recognising the value of Ireland’s youth and beginning to address the issues that we faced.

In spite of the achievements and accomplishments over the last nine years, recent media reports have suggested that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is to be abolished. Instead of a strong youth advocate working to include young people in policy, the ministry may be closed and the work of the DCYA diluted and distributed to other ministries - this is not sustainable.

The ISSU is appealing to the incoming government to recognise the importance of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and allow it to continue its pivotal role as the advocate for children and young people at the cabinet table.

Call for ISSU Charitable Trustee: Student Advocacy Director (Irish Second-Level Students' Union)

Please note: Shortlisted applications will only be considered from Alumni of the Irish Second-Level Students' Union former officer panel as recent intimate organisation knowledge is vital for this post.  

The role:

The ISSU are seeking a trustee to act as a Student Advocacy Director. The Board are particularly interested in individuals with recent and relevant experience in/or knowledge of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.

The organisation:

The Irish Second Level Students' Union is the umbrella body for student councils in secondary schools in Ireland. Founded in 2008, it works towards an education system in which students are recognised as an official partner in creating a student-centred education that truly caters to their needs.The ISSU believes in empowering students, regardless of their background, to use their voice and become active citizens in society. The ISSU continues to grow as an organisation and bring the student voice to issues of a national interest

General Trustee duties of a Charity Trustee & Company Director:

• Comply with the charity’s governing documents

• Ensuring charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit

• Acting in the best interest of the charity

• Act with reasonable care and skill

• Manage the assets of the charity

Charity trustees may not profit from carrying out their duties as a charity trustee. Board members do not receive remuneration for Board membership. Travel and Subsistence will be paid in line with ISSU policy and public sector rates.

Grounds for being disqualified from being a charity trustee include if a person:

• is adjudicated bankrupt;

• enters into a formal court approved insolvency arrangement with the Insolvency Service of Ireland;

• is convicted on indictment of an offence; and

• is a company that is in the course of being wound up.

Candidate specification requirements and responsibilities include the following:

• Providing input to the strategic direction of the organisation and contributing with insight

• Providing oversight and experience of strategy formulation

• Organisational administrative policy formulation and implementation, as required 

• A deep appreciation and knowledge of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union’s objectives and structures

• Advocating for and providing a voice for Student’s interest at voice at Board level, liaising with the National Student Executive, Monitoring Committee and Regional Fora on a regular basis.

• An understanding of and commitment to our mission and values 

• Commitment to highest levels of corporate governance

• Additional experience with youth organisations/student representative organisations would be an asset

Board Meetings:

There will be a minimum of 4 board meetings a year, with some committee work outside of these meetings. Meetings are held in Liberty Hall, Dublin. Meetings can also be held virtually from time to time and voting would take place virtually.

Term of Office: 

The term of office will be two years with the possibility of renewable by agreement of the Board for an additional term of two years, if the trustee desires.