The conference between Angela Merkel and the heads of the federal states promises to be hot. The Chancellor plans to extend the strict quarantine until March 1. The ministers of culture of the federal states, at a meeting held on the eve of the big negotiations, decided on the phased opening of schools from next week.
The epidemiological situation in the country is stabilizing, the number of infected continues to decline. If the incidence rate continues to move towards zero, the ministers of education of the federal states propose to start phased opening of schools from next week.
Some federal states have already taken concrete decisions. So, Saxony – the federal state, which was the first in December to announce the closure of schools and kindergartens, announced that the first students will be able to sit down at their desks from next Monday. Kindergartens will start to resume work in stages, as stated by the Minister of Education of the state Christian Pivarts.
The topic of schools and kindergartens again became the subject of heated discussions. The day before the conference of the Chancellor and the Minister-Presidents of the Federal States, it became known that the quarantine, in all likelihood, will be extended until the end of February, despite the stabilization of the situation. However, concessions will also be introduced.
Brandenburg Education Minister Britta Ernst said: “The Conference of Ministers of Culture unanimously decided that, starting February 15, 2021, graduation classes, and then primary school students, should return to their desks if the positive trend in the reduction in the number of cases continues.
This decision will be presented at tomorrow’s conference of Chancellor Angela Merkel and the ministers-presidents of the federal states.
Most kindergartens and schools in Germany have been closed since mid-December or operate on a very limited basis. Exceptions were made for high school years, as well as dividing primary school children if parents cannot provide supervision.
The Conference of the Federal Government and the Länder on Measures to Combat Coronavirus may adopt framework agreements that also apply to schools and kindergartens. Specific decisions are made by regional authorities on the ground, depending on the situation.
The Prime Minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the leader of the CDU Armin Laschet believes that schools and kindergartens are the “central issue” of the upcoming conference of the federal states with Merkel. You can buy as many tablets as you like, “a home for children is still not the best place to study.”
The Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg Winfried Kretschmann also advocates the need for the phased opening of schools. The priority is given to preschool institutions and primary schools. They are the ones who should get started first.
The Conference of Ministers of Culture recommends starting a phased return to full-time education in schools. Where the situation with the pandemic allows, younger students can sit at their desks. Next comes the turn of the senior classes. Classes will be divided into groups, and children will go to school in shifts, as was the practice during the first wave of the pandemic.
Germany says this:
Germany: Volunteers help students during distance learning for free
Germany: Financial assistance to families, Hartz IV recipients, self-employed, cultural workers and businesses
In Germany, masks will be required to wear in cars
Save 3-year-old Kolya: the child has a chance