Secondary school students in Northern Ireland are no longer required to wear face coverings in classrooms.
Masks have been compulsory for pupils since the start of school in August 2021.
However, the education minister announced that she would lift the requirement from March 21.
It brings Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland, where similar guidance for pupils has been adopted.
The guidance was removed in England in January, while Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland eliminated face coverings as a requirement in classrooms on February 28.
The Department of Education’s Covid-19 recommendation in schools in Northern Ireland was guidance rather than law.
The guidelines had recommended that students wear face coverings in classrooms, school corridors and other areas such as toilets after primary school.
Elementary school students are not required to wear masks to school but are encouraged to do so on school transport.
In a written statement to the assembly last week, Education Secretary Michelle McIlveen said masks had been beneficial in reducing coronavirus cases, but they had “disrupted learning by making communication with faculty and colleagues more difficult”.
“Many young people will also have found wearing face coverings uncomfortable for long periods of time,” she said.
“I have taken into account the views of the Department of Health, unions, school staff, parents who have either spoken or written to me, and young people I have met in schools and through other avenues.
“I have also looked at a number of studies from across the UK on the subject.
“As a result of my review of this guidance, the recommendation that face coverings be worn by students in classrooms after primary school will be removed from my department’s guidance effective March 21.
“Their use is still recommended at this time in hallways, common areas and on public and school transport.”
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