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The school is coming back as a social place, “with great respect for the virus and with caution,” Education Minister Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) said at a press conference on Wednesday. Here is an overview of what will change for students and parents starting next Monday.
AUSTRIA. Elementary schools will return to face-to-face classes on December 7 and regular operations will resume, Faßmann announced. The need for attention is greatest here. Lower grades and high schools are also resuming regular operations. Independent learning worked there to some extent, the minister said. High school graduates and classes that graduate from other types of schools are also returning to face-to-face classes.
High school students must stay home
The other high school and college classes are still distance learning. You know high school students have been home for a long time. However, this group would have a significantly higher 7-day incidence. This age group is the best able to learn independently, so it is reasonable to continue with distance learning. School work can be postponed, be it urgent, it could be done if there are suitable rooms such as gyms.
Mask requirement in class for students and teachers
In general, distance education, as it has been carried out in compulsory and secondary schools for the past week, cannot replace face-to-face teaching, the education minister said. It worked better than in the spring, but it is not a complete replacement. “We will continue, but we have to continue in a different way than before,” he stressed.
Beginning in high school, students are required to wear masks in class. “Before giving up face-to-face teaching, I prefer this method,” said Fassmann. Teachers would also have to wear masks. Their testing over the weekend as part of the massive tests would help remove people from the chain of infection. Fassmann appealed to the teachers to take tests. Together with the federal states, it will ensure that teachers are tested regularly to shorten the time until the first vaccination.
Fitness classes and outdoor music
Gymnastics and music lessons should only be held outdoors, Fassmann said when asked. If the weather does not allow it, then there is theory or gymnastics in large rooms without contact with others. Shift work that is often required in school was also verified. The situation of non-synchronous child care for families with several children would create massive stress for these families.
Only one assignment is required this semester
Also, only one school assignment is needed this semester, other assessment bases may be used more than usual this time. Faßmann emphasized that it was a balance between full closing and unconditional opening. He knows there will be criticism from both sides. “But hopefully most will say: That’s good.”
The new regulation should apply until the beginning of the Christmas holidays, so Faßmann. Then we’ll see how things go with the other high school students. “What do we do when everyone comes back?” He asked. Later, the Minister of Education concluded with complementary and recovery classes to make up for what was lost.
Income replacement will run until December 31.
Christmas party with ten people allowed.
