New DPCM: all measures for the school until December 3. Digital education, masks, meetings, contests

New DPCM November 4, 2020 signed yesterday by President Conte: the summary of the Ministry of Education.

Yesterday the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers was signed, which contains the new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Education, in its central and territorial articulations, will accompany educational institutions in the implementation of the new provisions. A specific explanatory note is expected to be issued.

Below is a summary of the measures planned by the Dpcm for schools.

Measures in force throughout the national territory:

• At second grade high schools 100% of the activities will be developed through the use of integrated digital teaching. Without prejudice to the possibility of carrying out face-to-face activities for the use of laboratories or to guarantee the effective school inclusion of students with disabilities and, in general, with special educational needs.

• At preschool, in those of First cycle education (primary and lower secondary) and in educational services for children educational activities will continue to be carried out In presence, with mandatory use of respiratory protection devices, except for children under 6 years of age and for people with pathologies or disabilities incompatible with the use of the mask.

• the meetings of the collegiate bodies they can only take place at a distance. Its renewal, scheduled for this period, will also be carried out remotely, in compliance with the principles of secrecy and freedom to participate in elections.

• I stay suspended educational trips, exchange or twinning initiatives, guided visits and training outings, except for activities related to the transversal competences and orientation itineraries (PCTO).

• The Dpcm suspends “the performance of pre-screening and written tests of public and private competition procedures.” As of tomorrow and until next December 3, therefore, the tests of the extraordinary contest for first and second grade high school, which will anyway be reschedule. Meanwhile, to date, more than 60% of the candidates have already taken the tests. The Ministry will initiate the correction of the documents of the procedures already carried out.

Measures for territories with more serious scenarios:

In areas that should be characterized by scenarios of “high severity and high level of risk”, which will be identified by order of the Ministry of Health, the same measures provided for at the national level will be applied to schools.

Dpcm provides more restrictive measures for the school in areas that, however, should be characterized by a scenario of “Maximum severity and high level of risk”. These areas must always be identified with a specific order from the Minister of Health.

For teaching, in case of more restrictive measures:

• The school will continue to attend from childhood, I educational services for children, the primary and the first year of high school first grade. The teaching activities in the rest of the cases will be carried out exclusively remotely.

• However the possibility of carrying out activities in presence if it is necessary to use laboratories or guarantee the effective school inclusion of students with disabilities and in general with special educational needs.

The provisions of the Decree apply from the date of November 5, 2020, replacing those of the Dpcm of October 24, 2020, and are effective until December 3, 2020.