Corona pandemic: school start into the unknown | tagesschau.de

Nina Amin |
ARD capital studio

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Many teachers are already vaccinated. As far as possible all adults should show solidarity and get vaccinated, she demands. This increases the protection for younger children. Because no vaccine has yet been approved for them. Yes, for twelve to 17 year olds, but the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) does not yet give a general vaccination recommendation for them.

In view of the increasing number of new infections and the spread of the more contagious Delta variant, the federal and state health ministers have now decided to expand the range of vaccinations for children and adolescents. This is now also possible in all vaccination centers or in other low-threshold ways. For Karliczek, however, it remains central: test regularly and put on masks where no distance is possible.

Criticism of the Federal Schoolchildren Conference

Criticism of the preparations for the new school year comes from the Secretary General of the Federal Students’ Conference. The fourth corona wave is clearly emerging, said Dario Schramm in phoenix-Interview: “Many children and adolescents have not yet been vaccinated and are therefore really fully susceptible to this virus. One could have expected that one would simply prepare now.”

But this simply did not happen: “We are now starting our classes again in the federal states with the credo ‘That will be fine – toi, toi, toi’, but without actually having made a plan for once.”

Too late, too timid

One example are mobile air filters for classrooms that are difficult to ventilate. The Education and Science Union (GEW) believes that a lot of time has been wasted here. 200 million euros are planned for mobile air filters in schools. This was only decided by the federal government in mid-July – in 2021, mind you.

The education union criticizes that the money comes too late. The GEW chairman Maike Finnern emphasizes against the ARD capital studio: “That could have been tackled a year ago. Backed up with finances, with corresponding tendering times, with delivery times. Then we would not have the problem that we have. That in autumn it will probably not be everywhere where it is necessary , Air filter devices will give. “

Criticism is directed not only against the federal government, but also against the federal states, which have sovereignty over the subject of education – and ultimately have to procure the air filters.

Already learning backlogs

When lessons in the federal states are gradually starting again, the focus is not only on hygiene and protective measures against corona. Many students also have to catch up on learning material from the previous school year. According to the teachers’ association, 20 to 25 percent have larger gaps. The federal government’s catch-up program amounting to one billion euros for this year and next is intended to help make up for learning delays.

Federal Education Minister Karliczek is relying on additional offers: “It should be provided by extracurricular workers or, for example, also by students or retired teachers, i.e. through additional capacities.” Nevertheless, the offers should take place as close to the school as possible and, if possible, with reference to everyday school life. “That’s important.”

The GEW is not happy with this approach either. It would be better to put the money directly into schools, into more staff and smaller classes. After all, the teachers in schools know best where their pupils have some catching up to do, emphasizes Finnern.

Nobody knows how the corona infection situation will develop in schools, whether test concepts will work or whether there will be enough air filters. What is certain is that it will – again – be a tough school year for everyone.