The focus is now on educational recovery as P4 to P7 pupils return to school on Monday, joining younger boys and girls.
All remaining pupils (Years 8 to 11) will return on 12 April after the Easter break following a period of homeschooling due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. This will be subject to a review at the end of March.
Education Minister Peter Weir said the main objective has always been a full return of all pupils to school in line with public health advice.
“Education has rightly been prioritised by the Executive for all the benefits that brings to our children and also for the longer term societal and economic benefits.
“Given the significant disruption to our children’s learning, our focus now must be on educational recovery which will be critical to their future prospects. With Executive support, I intend to invest in the necessary resources to help pupils address any disruption to their learning that they may have faced since the start of the pandemic,” he said.
The Minister has also written to schools to outline the plans to introduce regular testing in schools.
Mr Weir said testing for school staff and older pupils will provide a significant level of reassurance to education settings.
“All settings will be reminded of the need for stringent adherence to good practice and additional signage will be provided to all schools to encourage people to comply with public health messaging.
“While it is for each family to decide if they wish for their child to participate in the testing, it will be of benefit to all those in schools for us to be able to break the chain of transmission of the virus by identifying all those who may be asymptomatic.
“My Department will continue to engage with school leaders and teaching unions to address their queries and concerns and to provide support and guidance as we move to a full return of pupils,” he added.
School meals and transport services will operate as normal for those schools and year groups where pupils are required to attend.