Schools will not be reopening for most pupils on January 4, the Education Minister has announced.
Peter Weir has said that home schooling will return for the first week of January and primary pupils will be taught remotely until January 11. After this they will return to school.
Many Primary Seven children will be sitting transfer exams next month, the first less than two weeks away on January 9.
On New Year's Eve it was announced that:
Primary school pupils will be taught remotely until 11 January, after which they will attend school for face to face teaching;
Post-primary pupils will also be taught remotely during the first week of January. From Monday 11 January pupils in years 8 to 11 will continue to be taught remotely until the end of January while pupils in years 12 to 14 will attend school for face-to-face teaching;
Childcare settings including those attached to schools, pre-school facilities, nurseries and special schools to be open as usual;
Exams due to take place in January will be facilitated compliant with public health guidance and schools will have flexibility to deliver face-to-face teaching to pupils due to sit those exams, should they wish to do so;
Schools will accommodate vulnerable children and the children of key workers from the start of term.
Mr Weir said: “I must stress that these decisions are not made lightly as I know the negative impact on children’s learning and mental health and well-being of not being in school.
"However, particularly after unprecedented levels of positive Covid-19 tests since Christmas, and the pressure this applies to our health service, it is critical that we all must consider the public health and scientific advice as we look forward to brighter days ahead.”
