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A complete school closure is approaching. If the federal and state governments decide on a strict lockdown, the education ministers want to restrict regular operations. Some federal states are already going this way as of Monday.
Education ministers in federal states are preparing to close schools in the fight against the spread of the corona virus. If the presiding ministers decide on a strict closure on the weekend, the education ministers will be “ready to do our part”, said the president of the Permanent Conference (KMK) and the minister of education of Rhineland-Palatinate, Stefanie Hubig, during the last ordinary meeting of this year.
If necessary, there should also be restrictions on regular operations in schools. A change from face-to-face and distance learning is also possible. However, it is important that the restrictions are kept as short as possible. Therefore, the ministers spoke out against an extension of the Christmas holidays. “We are of the opinion that the holidays should not be extended,” said Hubig. In the decisions of the federal and state governments on Sunday, all areas of life must be considered. “It can’t be just the schools, just the nurseries.”
Federal state regulations
Some federal states are already going their own way regardless of Sunday’s decision. Schools, kindergartens and after-school care centers will be closed in Saxony from next Monday. Schleswig-Holstein announced that from Monday there will be no face-to-face classes from eighth grade. For grades 1-7, parents are asked to check if their children can stay home. There are no official restrictions on the provision of nurseries. Prime Minister Daniel Günther appealed to all parents to take care of their children at home if possible.
Starting Monday, North Rhine-Westphalia will also suspend classroom teaching in all schools for older classes. Prime Minister Armin Laschet said a “regular offer” should be made for students in the younger grades. But parents can have their children at home. This is intended as a kind of “pre-quarantine” before Christmas. Then they would have to follow even tougher measures. There are also stricter measures in Baden-Württemberg, but it remains to be clarified whether schools will close on Monday.
Despite the high number of infections, the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig, spoke out against the general closure of schools before Christmas. Primary schools in particular, but also kindergartens, should remain open until the beginning of the holidays, Schwesig said im Deutschlandfunk. This is a great relief, especially for parents who work in care or hospitals. “If you go to emergency care there, you mix the groups again,” continued the SPD politician.
German children’s aid organization warns of school closings
The German Children’s Fund also warned against the closure of schools and nurseries across the country. With a suspension of compulsory schooling or an extension of school holidays, as well as with the closure of nurseries, the right to education will be undermined, the association said. In keeping schools and day-care centers open, in addition to protecting health, the social and educational aspects of childhood must be taken into account.
Rather than shutting down educational institutions entirely, schools and kindergartens should weigh the situation on the spot in consultation with health authorities, the children’s aid organization demanded. The federal government is asked to financially support the federal states, as well as the providers of schools and day care centers, to keep the facilities open.
The Association of German Teachers, on the other hand, advocated for renewed distance learning. It is clear that schools must make their contribution to the specific reduction of contact, said President Heinz-Peter Meidinger. NDR information. “That is why we also have to act in schools.”
