The Department of Education says a "blanket freeze" on current staffing arrangements would disadvantage other schools, despite calls from a Cavan primary school.
Crosserlough National School is set to lose a teacher when it reopens, when it fell 6 students short of the number needed to remain a five teacher school.
Two weeks ago, the Principal and Board of Management of Crosserlough National School explained to parents that although it intends to reopen fully on September 1st, in line with guidelines, there'd be no reversal of the staffing changes announced previously - despite efforts.
In September 2019, 107 students were enrolled at the school, with 113 the threshold to have five teachers.
This means there'll be 31 3rd and 4th class children to one teacher, and a vacant classroom.
The Parent's Association had called on Minister Norma Foley to relax the rules for one year, given concerns over Covid-19.
In a statement to Shannonside Northern Sound, the Department of Education ruled out a "blanket freeze" on normal arrangements for some schools, saying it would be unfair to schools who lost teachers under similar circumstances in years previous.
It continued by saying each school knows best itself how to reconfigure layouts to achieve social distancing, but it will work closely with schools that struggle to implement the guidelines.
The Department concluded by saying where schools show considerable difficulty in reopening safely, it will work with them on a case-by-case basis to allocate resources, including teachers.
