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Wearing a mask or vaccination at school: One initiative requires parents to give their consent.
“Strengthening self-determination and personal responsibility” – the so-called child protection initiative will be voted on in the canton of Nidwalden on November 26th.
Pandemic as a trigger
The initiative goes back to the corona pandemic. At that time there were many new rules for the population, which also affected children: such as washing hands and wearing a mask. This went too far for a group of people critical of the measures. She launched the child protection initiative in several cantons. For example, while the initiative failed in the cantons of Bern and Thurgau, it came about in the canton of Nidwalden.
The demand that is now being voted on in Nidwalden: Measures in schools that affect the health of children always require the consent of the parents.
Legend:
Is parental consent always required, for example when it comes to screening at schools? Nidwalden votes on this.
Keystone/Gaetan Bally
Ultimately, the initiative committee believes that parents are responsible for their children and not the state. By involving parents in the decision-making process, trust in the authorities and the school is strengthened. And: With advance information, a constructive discussion can take place.
If the initiative were accepted, the cantonal education law would have to be changed.
The cantonal parliament and government reject the initiative
The Nidwalden government and the cantonal parliament believe that changing the education law is unnecessary. Parental consent is already required today, for example when it comes to a vaccination.
According to the government and parliament, an acceptance of the popular initiative would mean that proven regulations in the sense of the constitutional mandate for the health of the population would no longer be applicable.
Serial examinations would no longer be possible
When applied to the school, this specifically means: the mandatory screening tests could no longer be carried out in this way. However, the government and parliament consider these to be important. They state: “The earlier health problems or risks are identified, the sooner appropriate measures can be taken. Checking your hearing and eyes is particularly important because this has a direct impact on learning and everyday school life.
Parents will be informed about the examinations. And: If you want, you can also have these examinations carried out on your child by your family doctor.
In the event of a pandemic, the canton is not responsible
However, asking explicitly for permission every time is considered excessive. The government and parliament give the following example: If head lice are circulating in a school class, the affected classes will be examined today. In such a case, asking the parents for an okay would take things too far.
The government and parliament also state that even if the initiative were accepted, the amended education law would not come into effect in the event of another pandemic like Corona: then federal emergency law would apply. This is above cantonal law.