Anxious Students and Parents Voice Health Fears, Seek New Supports Ahead of Schools Reopening
Survey reveals concerns around lack of communication, facilities and resources
The ISSU, NCPPP, IGC, and UNICEF are urgently calling on the Government to provide the additional resources students need this Autumn, as preparations continue for the safe reopening of schools after COVID-19 closures. There are serious concerns about student welfare and the impact of distance learning. Plans for the reopening of schools must consequently be developed in consultation with the wider school community, and communicated clearly, ahead of the fast-approaching 2020/21 school year.
The representative groups are reacting to a recent survey of 11,615 students, parents and guardians by the ISSU and the NPCPP, which indicates significant concern around the return to school.
The groups have joined together to ensure the needs of students are addressed. Key concerns are: missed educational/developmental milestones for young people transitioning from primary to post-primary school, and out of post-primary education, health and wellbeing impacts and learning loss.
Survey findings
The core findings of the survey, conducted in June and July 2020, are outlined below. The full survey and its results can be found here .
Transitions:
24.08% of respondents raised concerns around transitioning back to school in September. 2020 and the lack of guidance provided to date, specifically for incoming first-year students
Participants sought an induction programme for adjusting back to school.
Health and well-being:
29% of respondents had concerns around their physical health amid reopening.
662 comments were made regarding stress, of which 62% were contributed by students.
353 comments relating to anxiety were made, 70% were made by parents/guardians.
Additional mental health resources were highlighted as a priority need.
Learning Loss:
Over 51% of respondents noted concerns regarding academic issues.
A common concern for students was that distance learning leaves them at a disadvantage, starting the new school year already behind.
In assessing the concerns highlighted, the groups are making the following recommendations:
Support students’ health and wellbeing, especially those most disadvantaged by school closures
Increase one-to-one support for students through the reinstatement of dedicated Guidance Counsellor hours to support their social-emotional wellbeing, and deal with anxieties around academic and vocational challenges.
Provide extra guidance to students transitioning through educational/developmental milestones or transitioning from primary to post-primary, and out of post-primary.
Provide a back-to-school wellbeing programme to address the social, mental, physical and environmental consequences of the pandemic and school closures.
Implement additional learning programmes and social supports to address learning loss, particularly for vulnerable or at-risk students, and/or those with special educational needs.
Adapt courses to account for the loss of learning due to school closures
Immediate review and adaptation of syllabi and examinations for all subjects at both Junior and Senior Cycle to ensure they are carried out in an equitable way.
Adaptations made to specific years or programmes - like Transition Year - must ensure learning, skills and experiences are not compromised.
Safeguard the health and safety of the school community
Provide the necessary sanitation facilities and implement social distancing, hygiene and cleaning practices.
Share clear, concise and accurate information about COVID-19, to combat the spread of misinformation which exacerbates fear and anxiety
ISSU, NPCPP, IGC and UNICEF further recommend that the Department of Education & Skills designate schools’ COVID-19 liaisons to coordinate the implementation of these measures, monitor health and safety and oversee contingency planning and the strengthening of remote learning practices in the event of future school closures.
ISSU Calls for Renewal of Department of Children & Youth Affairs
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is calling on all political leaders to ensure the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
In 2011 the Irish government established the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). This was a milestone in Irish history and a proud achievement - our government recognising the value of Ireland’s youth and beginning to address the issues that we faced.
In spite of the achievements and accomplishments over the last nine years, recent media reports have suggested that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is to be abolished. Instead of a strong youth advocate working to include young people in policy, the ministry may be closed and the work of the DCYA diluted and distributed to other ministries - this is not sustainable.
The ISSU is appealing to the incoming government to recognise the importance of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and allow it to continue its pivotal role as the advocate for children and young people at the cabinet table.
Call for ISSU Charitable Trustee: Student Advocacy Director (Irish Second-Level Students' Union)
Please note: Shortlisted applications will only be considered from Alumni of the Irish Second-Level Students' Union former officer panel as recent intimate organisation knowledge is vital for this post.
The role:
The ISSU are seeking a trustee to act as a Student Advocacy Director. The Board are particularly interested in individuals with recent and relevant experience in/or knowledge of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.
The organisation:
The Irish Second Level Students' Union is the umbrella body for student councils in secondary schools in Ireland. Founded in 2008, it works towards an education system in which students are recognised as an official partner in creating a student-centred education that truly caters to their needs.The ISSU believes in empowering students, regardless of their background, to use their voice and become active citizens in society. The ISSU continues to grow as an organisation and bring the student voice to issues of a national interest
General Trustee duties of a Charity Trustee & Company Director:
Comply with the charity’s governing documents
Ensuring charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit
Acting in the best interest of the charity
Act with reasonable care and skill
Manage the assets of the charity
Charity trustees may not profit from carrying out their duties as a charity trustee. Board members do not receive remuneration for Board membership. Travel and Subsistence will be paid in line with ISSU policy and public sector rates.
Grounds for being disqualified from being a charity trustee include if a person:
is adjudicated bankrupt;
enters into a formal court approved insolvency arrangement with the Insolvency Service of Ireland;
is convicted on indictment of an offence; and
is a company that is in the course of being wound up.
Candidate specification requirements and responsibilities include the following:
Providing input to the strategic direction of the organisation and contributing with insight
Providing oversight and experience of strategy formulation
Organisational administrative policy formulation and implementation, as required
A deep appreciation and knowledge of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union’s objectives and structures
Advocating for and providing a voice for Student’s interest at voice at Board level, liaising with the National Student Executive, Monitoring Committee and Regional Fora on a regular basis.
An understanding of and commitment to our mission and values
Commitment to highest levels of corporate governance
Additional experience with youth organisations/student representative organisations would be an asset
Board Meetings:
There will be a minimum of 4 board meetings a year, with some committee work outside of these meetings. Meetings are held in Liberty Hall, Dublin. Meetings can also be held virtually from time to time and voting would take place virtually.
Term of Office:
The term of office will be two years with the possibility of renewable by agreement of the Board for an additional term of two years, if the trustee desires.
National Student Executive Takes Office
Today, June 10th 2020, the National Student Executive 2020-21 of the ISSU has taken office for the year ahead.
Headed by Reuban Murray and Luke Casserly as President and Deputy President respectively, the 12 members of the NSE will work for the upcoming year to further student voice in schools and work on students’ behalf in the education system.
The full NSE can be seen HERE
Want to be a Change Maker? Apply today!
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❓ Do you want to play a more active role in society and mobilise others to amplify the impact, but you don’t know how?
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Creating a change, you want to see in the world is not something you can do in one fast move, but it is doable in a series of small planned steps. We don’t have all the answers on how to become the best Change maker, but we know the steps and together with you, we will make certain that your work matters and there will be no compromise about it, you have our word! If this sounds like a cool idea, check out the call below and let’s start working.
What do we offer?
A training & mentoring programme via the Erasmus+ funded ECMA project including:
💡 a comprehensive online course on change making, community organizing & mentoring
📘 guidelines for “Community Leaders”
👩🏫 1 International Training in Spain complementing the online course
🚂 3 International participatory events (incl. policy seminar & ideathon) in Belgium & Italy
🦸 a chance put into practice what you’ve learned & to mentor others
💻 national & international online meetings with your fellow Change Makers
🧐 1 study visit & 1 national event in cooperation with the ISSU that brings together all the project members of your country
👨👩👧👦 120 new friends all over Europe
Check out our roadmap to find out more about this change making journey!
“Make A Change” Timeline: Please note that AEGEE is another coordinating partner on this project. You will run your national event with the ISSU in Ireland.
What will you learn?
● Leadership skills that can help you to anticipate changes in society and respond to them in a creative way
● How to motivate & mentor other people
● Skills to put your ideas about change into practice
● To develop an open eye and mind to find different solution to an existing problem
● To go outside your comfort zone & think out of the box
● How to deal with setbacks on your way & how to keep continuing your journey
● To connect with your community to bring change about on a local level without losing sight of the more global perspective
How long does the programme run?
1,5 years, from May 2020 - October 2021
What profile are we looking for?
● You are motivated to change the status quo & you don’t want to do it alone
● You are familiar with youth work, community organizing and mentoring, and you are ready to share your knowledge with others
● You are committed to engage throughout the whole process, until December 2021
● You are are aged 18 years or older or will turn 18 before 31st August 2020
● You are motivated to put in practice the skills and competencies you gained throughout the project in your own organization and community
● You are willing to contribute to other ad-hoc tasks within the project
How can you apply?
Fill out the application form here before 6pm on April 28th: APPLICATION FORM
The European Change Maker Academy is an Erasmus+ funded project that is coordinated by OBESSU in cooperation with the ISSU and other project partners across Europe.
#ClarificationNow: ISSU Campaign for Clarity on the 2020 State Examinations
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU), as the national representative body of second-level students, is calling on the Minister for Education and Skills to provide clarity on the contingency plans being arranged for the 2020 State Examinations.
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the nation of Ireland and the ISSU recognises the huge effort and steps the government is taking to protect the public. The ISSU continues to follow, support and promote the Health Service Executive guidelines for the well-being and safety of all our members. However, in these unprecedented times, for thousands of examination students across Ireland, there is an immense feeling of uncertainty and anxiety as each student eagerly awaits for information regarding their exams.
The ISSU is asking the Minister for Education and Skills, to include the student voice in finalising these contingency plans. The ISSU is requesting to be involved in setting a clear deadline for when these decisions will be disseminated to the public and to assist in providing clear steps to be taken to ensure fairness and quality for all students and stakeholders involved.
President of the ISSU, Ciara Fanning commented “This is a hugely difficult and confusing time for everyone, but particularly for students who are due to sit State Exams in June. Having built up to these exams this year and previous school years there is huge pressure to perform well, and students are now unsure when they will be sitting the exams or if they will happen at all. This makes it incredibly difficult to focus on study and preparation for the exams. We need clarity immediately on the State Exams to put students at ease and reduce the immense stress and confusion they are already feeling at this time.”
Student welfare is paramount at this difficult time and reinforces the need to receive clarification as soon as possible on proposed plans that will impact the students' futures. The ISSU will continue to advocate that students, as key stakeholders in their education, are consulted and included in any decisions to be made regarding their education in the coming weeks and months.
