Ton: “soft start” in schools NDR.de – News

Starting 04/16/2020 3:30 p.m.
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NDR 1 Lower Saxony

It is a “gradual restart”, a “focus”, a “soft start”: the reopening of schools in Lower Saxony is not a return to normalcy, as was known before the coronavirus. Culture Minister Grant Hendrik Tonne (SPD) made this very clear on Thursday. Classes only start again very gradually, and if the infection makes it necessary, schools can be closed again.

Test subjects come first

On April 27, initially final grades go back to school. All tests must be taken, and test takers have the opportunity to prepare for them by returning to classroom instruction. According to Ton, there are special regulations for schoolchildren who belong to crown risk groups. They could also be verified individually. In general, when teaching resumes, it applies that these students, as well as those living with members of risk groups, can decide for themselves whether they want to study at school or at home. Even teachers who are particularly at risk would not have to go to school.

Do all classes return to school in mid-June?

On May 4, the fourth grade should return to class. The graduation and transition years of the next school year continue in subsequent weeks, for example, grades 12. If the situation allows, the other classes should return to school between the end of May and the middle of June; however, according to Tonne, current events must show whether this will be possible. An important date for this is May 18: then countries want to take stock.

Protection measures and only half classes.

Powerful protective measures are applied in all schools, especially hygiene and distance. According to the minister, schools now receive comprehensive information on how school operations should operate under corona conditions. For example, not all students must go to long recess at the same time. And teachers are only allowed to teach half classes, that just makes it clear that there will be no normal procedures and schedules. Large classes can also be divided into thirds, Tonne said. In accordance with the Ministry’s plan, students come to school alternately daily or weekly. Based on this, schools can design exactly how small class requirements are implemented. There are no physical education classes.

“Compulsory education continues”

Ton describes the company as a combination of face-to-face lessons and home learning: “You have to get used to it and it is not an individual replacement.” Nor are teachers and students expected to learn and perform as well as they did before the coronavirus. “We are aware that learning at home cannot totally and completely replace regular school lessons,” said Tonne. “At the same time, compulsory schooling continues and we set ourselves the goal that students can consolidate and expand their skills even under current conditions, thereby excluding disadvantages for individual students.”

No vacation: studying at home is a must

So, those who have not yet returned to school will have to study at home starting next Wednesday. Specialist teachers must assemble assignments, classroom teachers distribute them. The Minister of Education pointed out that it is important that the tasks of schoolchildren can be done only at home. Parents are not and should not be assistant teachers. Once a week, teachers should offer a one-hour consultation time for students, for example, via video conference, phone, or otherwise. Skype and WhatsApp messaging services will be launched for use in the context of online teaching.

Determined gradual smoothing

On Wednesday, the prime ministers of the federal states coordinated with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) on how to proceed in the coronavirus pandemic. A gradual relaxation in daily and business life has been agreed. There was praise for this, but also criticism of Lower Saxony. The current contact block remains. There will be no major events in Lower Saxony until August 31. Numerous popular festivals and festivals are affected.