Current topics were on the agenda of the bpv main board at the weekend: The great willingness to help Ukrainian refugee children must now be followed by the organization of concrete school offers. And: Premature loosening of the mask requirement at school must not jeopardize face-to-face teaching.
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14.03.2022
Bayern
press release
Bavarian Philology Association (bpv)
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Ukrainian refugee children: there is a great desire to help at the schools, but the specific organization of the school offers is still unclear
So far, Bavarian schools have been indirectly affected by the massive refugee movement through the provision of premises such as gymnasiums as temporary emergency accommodation for arriving refugees. But now more and more refugee Ukrainian children and young people are coming to the schools. In this case, precautions must be taken. bpv chairman Michael Schwägerl sums up the proposals of the main board: “An official portal could help to find Ukrainian teachers among the refugees locally and to involve them in the schools. Likewise, people with Ukrainian language skills or local cultural associations should report there, which will make it easier to get started with official communication with the school administration and teachers. As early as 2015, during the refugee crisis, experience was gained with high-performing students who needed intensive language training in the InGym pilot project at some high schools. It is now necessary to make these available across the board. Above all, however, more children and young people also mean more time and staff for future tasks – initially for German lessons and school psychological care, but in the medium term also for an overall increase in the number of pupils. Everyone involved must now stick together and create a fear-free space in the schools for the Ukrainian schoolchildren, unbureaucratically and without wrangling over responsibility. But even if a lot is unclear, one thing is certain for the main board: the desire to help at the schools is great.”
Mandatory masks continue to be an effective instrument for ensuring face-to-face teaching
It was also about the Corona situation in the schools. High numbers of absenteeism among teachers and students due to illness make everyday teaching more difficult. Coping with the pandemic and, above all, the associated administration still take up a lot of time and resources. The main board has therefore unanimously spoken out against further easing the obligation to wear masks in schools outside of physical education classes at this point in time. The bpv chairman Michael Schwägerl says: “In view of the increasing number of infections and an even more contagious BA.2 subtype, it is not yet the right time to relax the mask requirement in a place where as many people come together as in schools. Everyone involved would like lessons without a mask, but the actual classroom attendance must not be jeopardized for this wish. Without a minimum distance in class and without masks, the virus is spreading unchecked in the classrooms. And masks are proven to be an effective tool to protect against infection. Yes, relaxation in schools, but please at the right time!”
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