Coronavirus and the pregnant teacher: ‘We’re vulnerable’

One pregnant secondary school teacher says she will be forced to use up her sick leave to ensure she is fully vaccinated before returning to the classroom.

The 32-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, is 10 weeks pregnant and due to get her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in a month’s time. Her school is due to reopen within a fortnight.

“We’ve gotten more data about the complications this Delta variant can have, with regards to pregnancy, yet they made a design to scrap any significant protection that was offered to pregnant teachers and SNAs [special needs assistants],” she said.

Revised public health guidelines state that it is safe for most pregnant teachers to attend the workplace, unless they have an underlying medical condition.

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The teacher says she is astounded and disappointed by this decision. “It’s a complete U-turn.”

She says she has met her school principal to ask whether she can avail of remote working. However, she says the principal is bound by the Department of Education’s circular and guidance.

“His hands were tied. He couldn’t offer me any remote working arrangements. His advice was that I would have to exhaust my sick leave in order to protect myself.”

Carbon dioxide alarm

She says she cannot understand why remote working isn’t being facilitated, when pregnant teachers availed of this option last year.

“They are sending us in with a carbon dioxide alarm. I know they will try to promote social distancing at every opportunity and I have to commend the fantastic work the Covid team have done in my own school.

“But there comes a time when you become more vulnerable than you ever have before, you’re not only protecting yourself, but you are protecting, what is for me, a much wanted pregnancy that has taken four years to come to fruition.”

She adds that it will be difficult for schools to get substitute teachers to cover for pregnant teachers who take sick leave for this reason.

Pregnant women who take this type of leave may also face problems if they need to take sick leave later in the year.

“We may just have to take unpaid leave. People think we are trying to get out of work. We want to work, just in a safe and remote manner. This has worked before, fantastically. They just don’t want to facilitate this and are pushing us into this situation.”