Principal says it’s time for HEPA air filtration units in every classroom

Every classroom in Ireland should receive air filters as part of the State’s New Year resolution to bolster safety in schools, a Meath-based primary principal has said.

Lisa Callanan said sourcing grants to secure HEPA filters is cumbersome for under-pressure schools already struggling to keep a lid on Covid-19 cases.

The principal of Rathbeggan National School outisde Dunshaughlin says using the portable systems could also end uncertainty over decisons around school closures.

Nine machines have been installed by Irish company Mia Air in her 173-pupil school – removing the constant need to leave windows and doors open.

“What we are able to do now is close more windows and doors as the filters run and open everything again when the children are on outside breaks to let fresh air through the building,” she said.

“It is another preventative measure and with case numbers on the rise with the new variant, we feel we are doing extra in the hope of keeping everyone safe and the school open.”

Opening windows for ventilation at the coldest point of the year - particularly in a 61-year-old school such as Rathbeggan - is “not ideal” for teaching or learning, she said.

A fund of up to €72million was announced before Christmas to allow schools and childcare services improve ventilation – but Ms Callanan says filters suitable to different classroom types should have been supplied directly.

“We are pushed to the limit in terms of resources with the substitute crisis and in trying to keep continuity in teaching and learning. Minor works grant applications take time and that takes from an already overloaded schedule.

“I would have preferred more definitive guidance earlier. Schools are incredibly busy places.

“Ideally, HEPA 14 filters should arrive in every classroom in the country once assessments are carried out by an engineer or architect; that would make it crystal clear that every school would have that extra layer of protection.

“Introducing them at an earlier juncture, rather than almost two years later, would have been more effective.”

Until Mia Air filters arrived at the school of 18 staff on 13th December every external door apart from the front door, was left open all day, while internally, communal room windows were constantly open.

Since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, the school has had to deal with just 10 positive cases of Covid 19 - the result of a “huge collaborative effort” by children, staff and parents.

David Byrne, Managing Director of Mia Air, said it carries out daily surveys at schools and claimed the feedback from many teachers is that they cannot teach effectively in the current environment.

“While the announcement of additional funding has been welcomed by schools, it is nowhere near enough based on schools’ actual requirements and further consideration needs to be given towards extra support,” he said.