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“The bet of the schools will be won mainly by those who will be in the school units,” underlines the Deputy Minister of Education and Religions, Sofía Zacharaki, in an interview with APE-MPE, on the occasion of the special conditions dictated by the new coronavirus pandemic. schools are open on Mondays.
«It is important, it is crucial, that students and teachers create together a strong chain of protection not only for themselves but also for the most vulnerable, for the grandparents who need our care.“He points out.
Affirms that in the educational community the positive cases registered do not exceed 20 and describes them as “individual”, noting that “they do not create conditions for widespread concern.” Ms. Zacharaki points out, however, that no case is underestimated: “On the contrary, we strengthen coordination with the competent authorities for immediate response and follow-up of contacts, as defined by the management protocols that have been sent to schools, “he emphasizes.
Commenting on the initiatives of some municipalities to take additional measures for schools, The undersecretary describes as “very critical” to have a united response to the pandemic situation, which should be based on the instructions of the most experts. “These instructions must be followed accurately and consistently, so as not to confuse citizens and parents. We want our children to be healthy and protected throughout Greece, no matter what school they go to,” he stressed.
In the case of a confirmed case of a teacher, who teaches in many departments, the Undersecretariat affirms that the departments taught by the teacher will be closed and the follow-up process will be followed, while the educational process will continue through e-learning .
Final, on the much discussed protection measure, the use of a mask and if there is a case of “breaking” of the mask, Ms. Zacharaki emphasizes that this could be combined with eating or playing outside and exercising, where the use of a mask is not recommended. However, she points out that the ministry is ready to adapt to cases of children who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, but also to new instructions given by scientists.
The interview of the Vice Minister of Education
Q: A special school year begins on Monday. The Ministry of Education has announced the precautionary measures that must be observed, however the use of the mask and the elimination of the measurement of distances within the room has caused concern to parents and teachers. What is the basis for the experts’ suggestion and the ministry’s decision? Does wearing a mask make it unnecessary to keep your distance?
A: The Expert Committee on Virus Response, based on current scientific data on the evolution of the pandemic, considered that schools can function in its full development, using the mask as the main means to limit the spread. of the virus in schools. Of course, as far as possible, efforts should be made to maintain distances both between students and between student-teachers, in conjunction with the directive to avoid large concentrations and the operation of the school to be carried out in fixed groups of children who they do not systematically come into contact with each other. At the same time, it is necessary and essential to follow the instructions for frequent and correct application of hand hygiene, to ventilate the rooms well, as well as to systematically clean all the school facilities. Teachers, parents, and students are all a safety net. Beyond that, we are in direct and constant contact with the Commission in a dynamic and unprecedented situation, where epidemiological data determine at all times and the measures taken. But let me make this comment, the school bet will be won mainly by the school units. It is important, it is crucial, that students and teachers create together a strong chain of protection not only for themselves but also for the most vulnerable, for the grandparents who need our care. As in the first phase, together we will face this ordeal.
Q: Since when schools open, teachers and children will have to wear a mask for several hours during the day, are you planning to set a “mask break” during which they can take it off for a few minutes?
AP: The mask should be used in classrooms, school hallways, indoors, and on public transportation. Also, the mask should be used outdoors only where there is coloring. Based on the instructions that we have received from the experts, the rest you are referring to can be combined with eating or playing outside and exercising, where the use of a mask is not recommended. Obviously, we are here to discuss and adapt our guidelines for the cases of children who cannot use a mask for medical reasons, but also for the new instructions given by the scientists.
Q: In some municipalities, it was decided, in addition to protection measures, to place transparent screens on desks. How do you comment on this initiative?
AP: As a Ministry, we accept the suggestions of the competent Committee, which we strictly comply with. With regard to public health and especially the measures taken for our schools, it is very important to have a unified approach to the situation based on the instructions of the most expert. And these instructions must be followed accurately and consistently so as not to mislead citizens and parents. We want our children to be healthy and protected throughout Greece, no matter what school they go to.
Q: In the case of a teacher, who teaches in many departments, what procedure does the EODY protocol provide? Will all the departments you have taught in be quarantined?
AP: As you mentioned, in this case the prescribed EODY protocol will also normally apply. That is, the departments taught by the teacher will be closed and the monitoring process will be followed, while the educational process will continue through e-learning.
Q: Do you have a picture of the cases in the educational community from the day the schools began to function without students?
AP: There are isolated cases that, however, do not create conditions for widespread concern. We record all cases that are reported in Greece and closely monitor each case that is recorded in collaboration with EODY. Note that in Greece there are more than 14,400 school units and the positive cases registered in teachers do not exceed 20. But we do not underestimate any case. Instead, we are strengthening coordination with the relevant authorities for immediate response and follow-up of contacts, as established in the management protocols sent to the schools.
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