In five days time, children from junior infants up to and including 2nd class will return to school, as will Leaving Certs in secondary schools across the region.

5th year students in secondary and all other primary school students will return 2 weeks later on 15th March, and remaining secondary school students on 12th April, after the Easter break.

Vinnie Duffy is the INTO representative for Mayo & Sligo, and principal of Breaffy National School outside Ballina.

Speaking with Midwest News, he said teachers and students are looking forward to getting back to the classroom next week..