Under Ireland’s current rules language schools are able to reopen, however they are not able enrol new overseas students.
“As anybody who works in the English language sector knows, our primary clients are international students”
David Russell, chairperson of the Progressive College Network, told The PIE News that these rules are putting pressure on schools that might ultimately result in businesses closing down.
“Back on July 19, the Department of Further Education told us that basically if we want to open our classrooms, we can do so as long as it’s safe for our students and staff.
“But they also said that if we wanted to remain online, we can remain online. We were also asked to inform the Department of Justice in relation to what our plans were in relation to reopening,” he said.
However, Russell said that schools were told by the department that while they can reopen classrooms, they cannot recruit students from abroad.
“As anybody who works in the English language sector knows, our primary clients are international students. So basically what they’re saying is that we can reopen, but we can only reopen for the students who are currently in the country, which is absolutely ridiculous.”
He explained that language school students are only entitled to stay in Ireland for a limited number of visa extensions, which means that every English language school in the country is now competing for the same “ever dwindling” number of students.
“The government keeps making these wonderful declarations that Ireland is open and the restrictions are being eased.
“But it seems that this amazing reopening and easing of restrictions is for everybody, but not for the ELT sector.
“We have specifically been told that we’re not allowed to recruit students from abroad. There’s been numerous statements from minister Harris and his department,” he added.
“We’d be happy with a phased reopening plan. We just need more…