By Dean Egan.
Over 300,000 children are returning to school today for the first time this year.
Classes will resume for the first four years of primary school and leaving cert students.
The government plans to allow the other years to return on a phased basis over the next six weeks, if Covid-19 is kept under control.
A Kilkenny principal says it's a relief to see students coming back through school doors.
Speaking to Beat News, Shane Hallahan from Presentation Secondary School says it hasn't been easy on this year's Leaving Cert class:
"There was a huge sense of relief among students, who were working really hard."
"I think people need to remember that; these students worked so hard through 5th and 6th years and online at home."
"It's great to have them back in, and I suppose our job is to keep them going and try to get everyone else back."
