Well done to these people who watched Primetime without screaming

The Department of Education has announced that Special Schools and special classes in mainstream schools will not open on Thursday as previously announced.

But who is to blame? Could it be a government that insisted in pushing ahead with re-opening despite the reality we see around us because they have a plan and that’s that? Of course not.

No, the real problem is the teachers, SNAs, and other workers who looked for safety for themselves and some of the most vulnerable children in the country. They even asked about flexibility for students whose parents believe it is unsafe to return to school.

And the real monster behind it all? Those scheming, conniving, work-shy unions who had the audacity to … listen to the 5,000 members who turned up at a Zoom call (never mind the 11,000 who watched on YouTube) to explain the problems with Minister Foley’s plan.

At least that’s how the Department of Education is framing the situation.

Despicable statement. Response to follow. https://t.co/aoRJUfWgaO

— National Principals' Forum (@ForumTeaching) January 20, 2021

As ever, Miriam O’Callaghan and RTÉ Prime Time were there to lay the groundwork.

O’Callaghan accused unions of “vetoing the return to school of these very, very, very, very wonderful children with additional needs”.

It was like O’Callaghan knew that ratings depend on arguments with Ministers but couldn’t quite figure out why anyone might think the government had mishandled the pandemic:

“You spoke there, Minister, about encouraging the unions. But you and I know that there are mothers and fathers tonight watching this, broken-hearted that their children with additional needs are [not] going back on Thursday. I mean, who’s running the country? The unions or is it the government?”

Am so frustrated that we’re now into a further pantomime of government vs the unions. Back in November, it was the government vs NPHET and we saw where that left us. People have legitimate concerns that have not been addressed. When they are, then talk about school re-openings.

— Ken Foxe (@kenfoxe) January 19, 2021

So well done to all those people who managed to watch Primetime without losing their voices screaming at the screen.

1. Ah, memories

It wasn't teachers or unions who were running adverts on RTE news breaks encouraging people to eat out in (gastro)pubs and restaurants against all advice, right up to 23rd Dec as Covid 19 cases rocketed

That was….**checks note**… the government. #rtept#TonightVMTV

— Mark Malone (@soundmigration) January 19, 2021

It was only a month ago.

2. But this government has got everything so right so far

Absolutely abhorrent comment from Miriam O’Callaghan “teachers are stopping these very, very special kids returning to school”

No, a shambolic Dept of Education led by the totally incompetent Norma Foley are stopping kids SAFELY returning to school. #rtept

— Daniel Parnell (@DanialParnell) January 19, 2021

3. Tell us about those OTT demands

#RTEPT please change the narrative. Unions did not refuse to open schools. DES, Norma Foley did not provide Adequate PPE ,time to implement the promised Govt plan (still not seen Tues night for planned Thurs opening)and no advocacy for vaccinating staff orstudents in SEN schools

— CathCooney (@cooneybish) January 19, 2021

4. Don’t give them any ideas

Why not bring on the Vintners lobby to scream at Teacher Union's representatives?#rtept

— martinmcmahon (@williamhboney1) January 19, 2021

5. Nope, couldn’t be that

Always nice to see prominent journalists out framing teachers as the impasse on schools returning. Nothing to do with complete incoherence of the Department of Education; or the ten months they’ve had to draw up a workable plan for returning safely #rtept

— Papa Filippo (@PapaFilippoG) January 19, 2021

6. Well …

Unions are following the advice of the experts in NPHET.

Fianna Fail are engaged in a vanity project to get them off their 10% in the latest poll.#rtept

— Fintan (@Fintaann) January 19, 2021

7. Don’t let facts get in the way of a good story

What’s that sound? Oh, that’s just the sound of the government tearing apart the last shreds of social solidarity that has built up over the last year.