Welcoming Foreign Language Assistants Protocol
As you may know the Department administers a Foreign Language Assistant (FLA) Scheme.
In light of COVID19 we have developed a ‘Welcoming Foreign Language Assistants Protocol’ and Addendum (template for sign off by FLAs) which issued to schools today.
Under the Protocol principals in host schools will be required to sign off that they have arrangements in place to provide assurance that FLAs can arrive safely, and can be accommodated in restricting their movements within the first 14 day period post-arrival.
Where such assurance is not in place, schools must agree not to take in FLAs to the school until such time as they are in a position to put in place the appropriate arrangements. The FLA may work remotely from their home country until such time as such assurances can be given by the School Principal.
The Department recognises that there have been additional burdens imposed on school principals and school management in the current school year. The Department appreciates that there may be reservations on the part of schools regarding the burden this protocol imposes on school management. In view of this it is open to schools to opt to provide the service online for at least the first term or as a last resort to defer participation until the 2021/22 school year.
Majella O’Dea
Department of Education and Skills