Storm Éowyn causes extensive damage to schools in Northern Ireland, prompting Education Minister to consider remote learning for some schools on Monday.
Northern Ireland's Education Minister, Paul Givan, stated that some schools in the region might have to operate remotely on Monday, January 27, 2025, following the extensive damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Givan met with the Education Authority (EA) to assess the situation. The EA is leading the emergency response and providing support to schools impacted by the storm.
According to Givan, over 100 schools have reported varying degrees of damage, ranging from minor repairs to fences and missing roof tiles to more significant structural issues. The EA's Maintenance service is prioritizing the most critical repairs across Northern Ireland. Staff are actively assessing the damage at schools, carrying out essential repairs, and determining if it's safe for severely damaged schools to reopen on Monday. NIE Networks has reported widespread damage to the electricity grid, with an estimated 100 schools still without power. Collaborating closely with NIE, the Minister confirmed that they will prioritize restoring power to schools that remain without it.While every effort is being made over the weekend to facilitate the reopening of affected schools as soon as possible, it's likely some schools will need to transition to remote learning on Monday. The EA's School Transport Service plans to operate normally, though there might be disruptions or delays to routes due to road damage. Addressing school principals directly, Givan urged them to report critical repairs through the EA's Maintenance Service's Out-of-Hours Helpline. NIE has strongly advised against approaching any electrical equipment and cautioned against venturing near fallen trees or while assessing damage. If a school building is closed due to storm damage, he requested that schools continue providing remote learning for students who cannot attend in person. Givan concluded by expressing gratitude to all EA colleagues who have worked tirelessly to protect schools and ensure the safety of the educational community, emphasizing their dedication during this challenging period. He acknowledged the storm's unprecedented damage across Northern Ireland and thanked schools and parents for their continued patience as efforts are made to help affected schools recover quickly. Schools will communicate any special arrangements or closures directly with parents/guardians at the earliest opportunity. Information will also be available on nidirect.gov.uk.
STORMEOWYN NORTHERNIRELAND SCHOOLS REMOTELEARNING DAMAGE EDUCATIONAUTHORITY
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