Friday, April 9th, 2021
Teachers’ association on school openings
“Form of Russian Roulette”
The education ministers of the federal states cannot agree on a uniform line at their conference. However, the consensus is that as much classroom teaching as possible should take place. A teachers union thinks this is irresponsible.
The Association of Education and Upbringing is heavily criticizing the opening course of some federal states at schools in the pandemic. “The fact that there are apparently still federal states that want to keep schools open in high incidence areas is irresponsible,” said the chairman of the teachers’ union, Udo Beckmann, after consultations with the federal and state ministers of education that ended on Thursday evening. “We know that since schools have been open, new infections have risen rapidly in the age segment of schoolchildren, especially among younger people.”
The President of the Conference of Ministers of Education, the Brandenburg Department Head Britta Ernst, defended the opening course on which the states have basically agreed. The SPD politician told the broadcaster rbb that they knew that they would have to make a contribution to infection protection by reducing face-to-face teaching. But it also depends on the well-being of children and young people, who must be guaranteed a right to education.
Beckmann raged: “You almost have to have the impression that in some countries a form of Russian roulette is being played with the health of teachers, children and young people.” Precise definitions are needed as to when schools – in whole or in part – are to be closed in order to ensure the protection of everyone.
The Conference of Ministers of Education decided that as much classroom teaching as possible should be offered, accompanied by a comprehensive test and vaccination strategy. The test options should be expanded in such a way that all pupils and teachers can be offered the opportunity for a self-test twice a week. The high school graduates should take their exams this year despite the corona pandemic. Regardless of the resolutions, the short-term approach of the federal states in the coming school week looks very different. Some countries do not provide face-to-face tuition for most pupils, while others are already following an opening course at short notice.
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