Principal forced to reverse Covid closure asks: 'How autonomous are school boards?'

Claremorris Boys National School. The principal, Mark Loftus, was directed by the department to reverse his decision to close the school until January after 16 pupils tested positive.

The principal of a primary school in Claremorris, who was directed by the Department of Education to reverse his decision to close the school until January, has questioned the autonomy of the boards of management in schools to make decisions for community good.

Mark Loftus, who is working remotely as five children in his class had tested positive for Covid-19, told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show that the decision he had made had been the right one for the good of the school community and the wider community.