Schools should implement student exchange programs, according to an education union's proposal.
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, school principals and teachers across Germany are facing challenges in planning and delivering lessons, according to Udo Beckmann, chairman of the Association of Education and Training (VBE). The lack of clarity and timely communication about weekly teaching plans has led to some teachers finding out about their plans from newspapers or as late as Monday morning at 7 a.m.
The Association of German Education Administrators (KMK) has presented a proposal for a package of measures to address these issues, which includes the implementation of alternating classes in secondary schools and the search for additional room capacities in schools to maintain social distancing in classes. However, the KMK's proposal was not discussed during the recent video conference between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the ministers of the states.
GEW chairwoman Marlis Tepe has sharply criticized Chancellor Merkel and the ministers of the states for not agreeing on a package of measures for schools. She has accused them of "political adventurism" for not implementing alternating classes in secondary schools, and has emphasized the urgent need for additional rooms in primary schools to maintain social distancing.
Udo Beckmann has expressed support for the KMK's proposal, but has also highlighted the need for improved communication between ministries and schools. He has demanded that measures should be tailored to the actual new infection figures, available resources, and necessary preparation time for implementation.
The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education has reported that approximately 200,000 students are currently in quarantine, and over 3,000 teachers have been infected with Corona. These numbers underscore the importance of implementing measures to reduce infection risks in schools.
Marlis Tepe has emphasized that now is not the time to dismiss reasonable, goal-oriented proposals. She has stated that additional rooms are needed as soon as possible for primary schools to maintain distances in the classes.
The search results do not provide specific information on which German federal states have not yet agreed to implement the GEW's concept of alternating classes in schools to reduce infection risks. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, school leaders and teachers in Germany are struggling with a lack of clarity and timely communication about measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The KMK's proposal for a package of measures, including alternating classes and the search for additional room capacities, has received support from Udo Beckmann but has not yet been agreed upon by all German federal states. The urgent need for additional rooms in primary schools and improved communication between ministries and schools has been emphasized by both the VBE and the GEW.
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