[ad_1]
“That goes too far”: the bourgeois parties consider the ban on ski days in St. Gallen schools as exaggerated; the PS calls for stricter measures
Due to the corona pandemic, the education department bans “special teaching events” in schools until the spring. This includes ski days and camping. The decision to ban ski days is greeted with misunderstanding among commoners. Meanwhile, the left calls for more measures against the corona virus.
Ski camp? Not this year: the canton of St. Gallen bans “special teaching events” in schools until spring.
On Tuesday, the canton recommended that ski camps and ski days be avoided, but it was against the ban, unlike other cantons in eastern Switzerland. The next day, the government turns around: “special teaching events” are banned until spring break. This was communicated by the education department in a statement.
The reason: “When traveling to such events by public transport or car, on-site accommodation, but also when using infrastructure in ski areas, distance regulations are most likely not strictly adhered to”, write the canton. In addition, significantly more contacts with third parties would be expected, increasing the risk of infection. In the tense epidemiological situation, accepting this risk is not justifiable. The regulation affects primary and secondary schools, as well as secondary and vocational schools in the cantons.
“Why can’t a class go on a field trip?”
Cantonal Councilor Raphael Frei in the November session.
On the third day of the Cantonal Council session, all parties commented on this regulation. In particular, the ban on individual excursions was met with a wide lack of understanding. In view of the epidemiological situation, it makes sense that ski camps are banned, said FDP President Raphael Frei. But:
“But it is not plausible that day trips are banned until spring.”
This cuts the autonomy of school communities disproportionately. “This is going too far.”
Cantonal Councilor Christoph Gull (SVP)
The SVP took the same line. Christoph Gull said:
“The foundation of good health is a good immune system.”
That is why it is wrong to prevent children from going outside. Also, the interruption in school or the trip on a school bus is no less dangerous than the trip to a ski area or skiing.
The CVP also considered that the decision “was not mature”. Ignoring distances on public transport is a bad reason for the ban, says Andreas Broger.
“Why shouldn’t a class, or at least half a class, go on a field trip to a ski area?”
Cantonal Court Franziska Cavelti Häller (GLP)
The LPG welcomed the cancellation of the ski camp, but it is not understandable why ski days should not be possible, says Franziska Cavelti Häller.
The SP and the Greens highlight the seriousness of the situation
Bettina Surber (SP) dining cloth
For the SP, too, the decision regarding individual excursions “is not the ultimate wisdom,” as Bettina Surber said. “We are watching the number of cases develop with great concern.” The canton of St. Gallen ranks second inglorious in terms of the number of corona cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Overload of the health system was feared.
“We therefore ask the government to examine new measures to contain the pandemic.”
Cantonal Councilor Meinrad Gschwend (Greens)
It sounded similar from the Greens. “We also think that this measure goes a long way, but we support it in view of the number of cases,” said parliamentary group leader Meinrad Gschwend.
“The point now is to reduce the number of cases. It is justifiable to skip a day of skiing. “
Mandatory mask until at least January
Do students see it that way? As long as the aforementioned events are canceled, classes will be maintained. “This is preferable at the time of the existing obstacles due to the pandemic,” says the press release. The measures apply from next Monday.
Since the beginning of November, a mask requirement has also been in place at the upper level, as well as guidelines for singing and sports lessons. These will be expanded. “With a correspondingly positive development, therefore, a lifting of the mask requirement can be expected from mid-January 2021 at the earliest,” the department writes. The Federal Council regulates the mask requirement for secondary schools and professional schools.
