AQW 30327/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 28/02/2022
Answered On Date: 03/03/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the evidence in relation to current guidance for the continued mandatory wearing of face coverings in post-primary schools.

Answer:

The most recent public health advice provided to me by the Department of Health referenced that the case numbers in primary and post-primary age children have been falling gradually since the end of January 2022. It also reflected that the use of face coverings in indoor environments reduces the transmission of COVID. This advice reflects the health impacts of face covering wearing but did not seek to consider the wider educational and social impacts on pupils.

I recognise that this is an issue where we need to balance the public health benefits in terms of reducing the risks of virus transmission with the challenges of post-primary pupils being asked to wear face coverings for long periods.

I understand the disruption that use of face coverings causes for pupils and their learning and I want to move as quickly as possible to the point that they are no longer necessary.