The Ministry of Education has asked school principals to prepare for school closures. This emerges from a letter to school principals available from APA.
At the moment, nationwide school operations are not affected by a nationwide closure like at universities, the letter says. The current procedure with event-related school closures has proven itself. “We all hope that there will be no further restrictions. Nevertheless, my request to you is that we remain in close coordination and prepare for school closings together,” says the document drawn up by Minister of Education Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP).
The directors are asked to “together with the teachers” in the coming days prepare training materials for the consolidation and deepening of the learning material currently being dealt with for schoolchildren, which you can give them back home if necessary or make available via digital channels. ” School closings could be used “to repeat and deepen material that has already been taken or to calmly deal with topics that are currently being dealt with in class”.
Schools should use communication channels with students and parents via email or learning platforms such as Moodle or LMS. School libraries could provide the students with reading material. In addition, in cooperation with the Lower Austrian University of Education, the Ministry is preparing “an age-appropriate, compact online offering with educational materials that can be used to bridge the gap between school and temporary school closings”.
The schools are also advised to “suspend trips, trips and school events from now until further notice. Please contact the tour operator – also regarding possible cancellation payments”.
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