Back to school continues in Belgium. In agreement with the group of experts in charge of the deconfinement strategy (GEES), the Concertation Committee decided that the kindergarten students will all be able to return to class on Tuesday 2 June. Primary students will have to wait for Monday, June 8. What are the elements put forward by the GEES experts to allow the continuation of this deconfinement?
These reasons are transcribed black on white in thehas circular that the French-speaking Minister of Education, Caroline Désir, transmitted to school administrators.
Here are the explanations:
In recent weeks, new information has emerged on the risks and role of children in the COVID-19 epidemic worldwide and in Belgium.
This has led to changing perspectives:
– There is no evidence to date that children are the engine of the epidemic. On the contrary, children seem less affected by the epidemic and also seem less contagious.
– Non-schooling also has an important impact on the general, mental and social development of children and their families. The GEES recognizes the importance of balancing epidemiological risk with the mental health, well-being and learning needs of all children.
– The experiences of other countries where nursery and primary schools have been reopened – in particular Denmark, which opened its schools 4 weeks ago – have not significantly revived the virus. However, special attention was paid to the creation of contact bubbles and hygiene. Primary education has also recently reopened in the Netherlands. (…)
– The epidemic continues to decline and is evolving positively, even if several hundred cases are discovered daily. Very few children are actually detected with symptomatic COVID-19 infection.
– However, schools must have a predefined protocol and an identified medical referent to act quickly if children or employees fall ill. Plans and procedures must be put in place in close collaboration with public health authorities (…).
For these reasons, the GEES believes that “the reopening of schools does not lead to a significant upsurge in the epidemic, provided that certain protocols continue to be scrupulously followed“.
Special measures have been decided for each level of education.
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