Covas launches a return to university classrooms and reopens schools for reinforcement activities in October | Saint Paul

In kindergarten, primary and secondary school, the reopening was authorized only for reinforcement activities on the same date.

“It no longer makes sense, with the data we have, to continue prohibiting higher education in the city of São Paulo. And in relation to students from 0 to 17 years old, under the responsibility of the municipality, state and private network, we will make known of extracurricular activities starting on October 7 ”, said Covas during a press conference this Thursday (17).

The definition of resumption of regular classes for these students, however, should only be defined in November.

“We will continue to conduct surveys of both adults and children to assess and maintain that same line or have another position as of November 3,” added the mayor.

• Higher education: Face-to-face comeback released in October
• High school: Released only for reinforcement activities in October
• Fundamental teaching: Released only for reinforcement activities in October
• Kindergarten: Released for reinforcement activities only in October

The announcements were made on the afternoon of Thursday (17), during a virtual press conference by the municipal administration to disseminate data on the new stage of the serological survey carried out on students from public and private schools.

According to the survey, more than 244 thousand students from public and private schools have had contact with the Covid-19 virus in the São Paulo capital and 66% are asymptomatic. The third phase of the serological survey among children and adolescents indicates that 16.5% of students have antibodies against the new coronavirus.

According to the state government’s reopening schedule, the resumption of face-to-face classes is scheduled for October 7, since 80% of the state’s population has been in the yellow phase of the economic relaxation plan for 28 days.

Also present at the conference, the Secretary of State for Education, Rossieli Soares, defended the reopening of schools for reinforcement activities and said that the state has received positive feedback in places where the measure has already been implemented.

“Opening schools for extracurricular activities has been an important step in cities that have already started. We have a good example, learning. They are optional activities. It is optional to go to school. It is not mandatory to open a school, it is not mandatory for the teacher or for him This is an important experience during the month of October so that we can continue evaluating and advancing in health first, ”said Secretary of State for Education, Rossieli Soares, also present at the conference.

In the state, schools were able to reopen for extracurricular classes, housing and physical education on September 8. Despite the release of the state government, city councils have autonomy to decide when and if they will reopen.

In the capital, Covas vetoed the reopening on the date after the result of the serological survey carried out in August in children and adolescents, noting that 64% of those infected in this public were asymptomatic.

Last week, Covas and the municipal secretary of Education, Bruno Caetano, visited a school in the East Zone of the city to accompany the installation of protocols and security measures in preparation for the reopening.

A survey by Rede Nossa São Paulo published last Thursday (10) showed that 81% of São Paulo residents are opposed to returning to face-to-face classes in the city.

This Wednesday (16), the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of São Paulo issued a public note saying that it believes that the return to face-to-face activities in schools is precipitous considering the current data on Covid-19 and the health risks students and educators.

Unions representing education workers fear the risks of reopening. On the other hand, the entities that represent private institutions charge the release for resumption and say that the private network is prepared to serve students.