Schools reopening must include a plan for sport – Richmond

Ahead of the publication of the much anticipated plan for the reopening of our schools, Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has called on the Minister for Education to include a plan for sport as part of this.

“Across the country, so many homes and families are awaiting the plan that will allow our schools to reopen and bring us another viral step further along our exit from the worst of the Covid19 pandemic,” the Dublin Rathdown TD said.

“Any plan for reopening our schools at both primary and secondary level must be balanced. It needs to ensure the safety of our teachers, students, their parents, the ancillary staff and our society as a whole.

“The prospect of another lengthy period without school returning is unbearable for so many and would come with huge negative consequences.

“The prize of achieving the reopening of our schools is in all of our hands and I look forward to the Minister for Education laying out a clear and sensible plan for the reopening of our schools.

“However, one aspect of school life that I fear could be overlooked is that of school sports. Be they in the form of PE or extra curricular activities; it is vital that the reopening of our schools comes with the return of organised sport.

“Many sports bodies across the country have rolled out comprehensive return to play plans and it is vital that schools also pursue this objective.

“The classroom is only part of the overall school experience and it is essential any plan for reopening our schools must include a plan for sport,” Deputy Richmond said.