Schools 'must focus on fostering friendships' for students adjusting to life after lockdown

This Monday sees a full return to in-classroom learning for all students, with some pupils learning remotely since Christmas.

Remote learning and pandemic restrictions have resulted in some young students being unable to develop or maintain friendships, the president of the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) has said.

To minimise the spread of Covid-19, schools have assigned specific seats, tables or bubbles for students and as a result, they mix with the same peers each day. A large proportion of students have also been learning from home since Christmas due to pandemic restrictions.