Latest Department of Education updates in relation to COVID-19 (coronavirus)

This page provides the latest information released by the Department of Education in relation to Covid-19 (coronavirus) and its impact on education services.

For general health advice relating to Covid-19, please visit the Public Health Agency website.

Frequently asked questions

• FAQs on Childcare Recovery Support Fund - 27 July 2020
• FAQs on Summer Food Payment Scheme - 9 July 2020
• FAQs on Childcare Recovery Plans - 24 June 2020
• FAQs on Education Restart Programme - 24 June 2020
• FAQs for free school meals payment scheme - 31 March 2020

Income Support Scheme for substitute teachers

The Income Support Scheme for substitute teachers was launched on 22 January 2021 to provide financial support to substitute teachers who have reduced opportunity to work in schools which are only open for vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.  The scheme is to ensure that substitute teachers who worked between 1 September 2020 and 31 December 2020 (i.e. those receiving earnings for this work most recently, so most impacted by the loss of income) will have access to an income from January to March 2021.  Following a decision by Minister to open schools on a phased basis from 8 March 2021, it has been agreed that financial support will be extended to 31 March 2021.  You do not need to take any further action - the information you provided in your application will be used to calculate your entitlement up to 31 March 2021.

The Scheme is now closed to new Applications.

Further information on the Scheme is on the website. 

Free school meals - Direct Payment Scheme

On 26 March the Minister for Communities and the Minister for Education announced plans to make sure families do not experience hardship as a result of schools closing. The direct payments scheme will ensure families eligible for free school meals will receive direct payments into bank accounts during the period of term time school closures due to Coronavirus.

• Information on direct payments scheme for families eligible for free school meals
• FAQs for free school meals payment scheme - 31 March 2020
• Ministers take action in relation to Free School Meals payment - 26 March 2020

Ministerial statements

• Oral statement to the Ad Hoc Committee by Education Minister, Peter Weir on the Covid-19 response - 25 June 2020

Information and guidance for educational settings

• Guidance for summer provision for children and young people
• Letter from Education Minister - Education Restart Programme - 3 June 2020
• Guidance on School Development Planning for 2020/21
• Guidance on assessment and school reports - 20 May 2020
• Guidance on vulnerable children and young people
• Letter from Minister - Safer Schools app - 10 April 2020
• Joint Ministerial announcement on emergency childcare provision - 9 April 2020
• Letter from Minister of Education - Vulnerable Children and Young People - 8 April 2020
• Letter from Minister of Education to schools on cluster arrangements - 31 March 2020
• Letter from Education Minister to education sector - 24 March 2020
• Education Minister’s update on school closures – 23 March 2020
• Statement from Education Minister on Covid-19 response – 20 March 2020
• Letter from Permanent Secretary Derek Baker to principals – 20 March 2020
• Letter from Education Minister to education sector – 19 March 2020
• Education Minister releases guidance for educational settings – 16 March 2020
• Latest guidance on Covid-19 (coronavirus) - 25 February 2020

Support for parents and pupils

A list of resources has been published that you may find useful as you assist your child with learning during the period of school closures due to Covid-19 (coronavirus).

Information is also available about organisations which are happy to provide help, advice and support to you as a parent at this time.

Notices made under the Coronavirus Act 2020

• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.10) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.8) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.7) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.6) Free School Meals Direct Payments (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.5) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No 4) - Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.3) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.2) Cancellation Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020
• Notice temporarily disapplying or modifying education duties No.2 (Northern Ireland) 2020 – 3 April 2020
• Notice temporarily disapplying or modifying education duties No.1 (Northern Ireland) 2020 - 1 April 2020

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