Jess Casey: Windows open, masks on - What is being done to make schools safe?

Ventilation, vaccines and masks are key to re-opening and keeping schools open amid the Covid pandemic. But how does Ireland compare with other countries, asks Education Correspondent Jess Casey.

Meghan Wallace, maths teacher with first year pupils from Colaiste Eamann Ris, in the new outside classroom at school. Many Irish schools have opted for fresh air breaks, open windows, or classes outside to combat the coronavirus. Photo: Eddie O'Hare

When it comes to our international neighbours, comparing safety measures in schools during the pandemic isn’t always an exact science.

For example, older students in England are only beginning to wear face coverings in classrooms now. Children in Irish classrooms have been doing so since last September. French classrooms have a much wider definition of ‘close contacts’, but the country only enforced two-metre physical distancing in February under stricter measures due to the UK variant.