Alison asked the listeners of Weekend Breakfast the question and it seemed to divide people; with 55% saying 'No' and 45% saying 'Yes'.
Would you like to see the schools reopen before summer holidays? #WeekendBreakfast @AlisonTodayFM
— Today FM (@TodayFM) April 19, 2020
Causing quite the stir:
Texts and WhatsApp messages flew in too:
"Hey Alison, I wonder if opening schools for the kids of essential workers only for a while would help. Those homes are under a lot of stress, the kids would benefit from the routine of school where it would be that bit safer because the classrooms wouldn’t be jammed. If children of parents who would otherwise be at home (or can work from home) continue to stay home then there’s a better chance the kids in school can maintain social distances. It would give essential workers a break from trying to sort full time childcare too."
"Yes I think national schools should open in June, if the number of cases drop sufficiently."
"Alison I miss my class so much and I would give anything to be back in my classroom with them but only as long as it is safe to do so. There is no way we could social distance in my classroom, there just isn't the room and I only have 27 kids this year, I had 33 last year. I miss them and I am worrying about them, about how they are and how they are coping with this situation. I know there are some who need school, that it is their safe place where they have consistency and those kids never leave my mind. I live in hope it will be safe to go back to school and if they were to do it, I would be happier to go back 2 days a week with half the class in each day."
"Alison, my children need to go to school. If people want to keep their children at home for whatever reason (eg they have a vulnerable person etc) they should be allowed to do that but I should have the option of sending them to school too."
