Concern has been raised after it was revealed that primary and secondary schools could lose some of their holidays in an attempt to make up for time lost when they were closed due to bad weather.

An article in the Irish Independent has revealed that the Department of Education has talked to management and teacher unions over the proposals to change the 2011/2012 February mid-term and Easter break dates.

It stated that holidays need to be reduced as the last two winters have seen schools closed on a number of days because pupils and teachers were unable to come in.

In December 2010 alone, education facilities across Ireland were shut for 12 days in some areas.

At the time, the department gave principals the authority to decide whether they should remain open or not, on the condition that lost time is to be made up at a later date.

However, plans to open facilities for three days during next year's Easter holidays and the same for the February 2012 week-long break have been met with anger by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals.

Members of the group said the concern was that if days were clawed back due to bad weather, they might never close.

Written by Donal Walsh

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