Primary schools fully open from June 8
The primary schools may be fully open from June 8. Prime Minister Mark Rutte just announced this. AObChairman Eugenie Stolk: “The cabinet must carefully consider the consequences of the partial opening. This is exciting. We are conducting a survey among our primary school members to see what they think about the full opening of the schools. ”
Image: National government press conference
The full opening of the primary schools is not yet entirely certain. “The schools will open completely, unless in the coming weeks from current investigations show that this is not justified,” said Prime Minister Rutte during the press conference. In the coming weeks, the cabinet will make agreements with education about opening primary schools.
Rutte: 'Primary schools will open completely, unless current investigations show that this is not responsible in the coming weeks'
Since May 11 primary schools are partially open again after teachers were only able to give online lessons for weeks due to the corona virus. Prime Minister Rutte thinks that schools are "all handling the partial opening well". Students are currently being taught in shifts where part of the class is always present at school. Schools for special education are already fully open since Monday last week.
Consultation
De AOb In the coming days, survey the members who work in primary education to see what they think of Rutte's decision. “The cabinet must closely monitor the consequences of the partial opening. It is exciting for everyone to see what this means for the spread of the virus. With our survey we want to see how things are going everywhere and what our members think about opening the school completely. ”
AObchairman: 'With our survey we want to see how things are going everywhere and what our members think of opening the school completely'
Physical lesson
As expected, Rutte definitively announced during the press conference that teachers and support staff at secondary schools will be able to partially open their doors for their students from 2 June. In previous press conferences, he already mentioned the beginning of June as a possible start date. In the schools, the XNUMX meter distance rule must be observed, so that in practice not all pupils will be at school at the same time.
The cabinet does believe that schools should really start giving physical lessons. Rutte: "They should not limit themselves to a mentor hour or a few tests at school." Start of this week reported it Education magazine that some high schools are no longer planning to open physical classes at all before the summer. They want to continue with the online lessons and only allow students to come to school for tests, mentor conversations and social activities.
Rutte: 'Secondary schools should not limit themselves to a mentor hour or a few tests at school'
Students in secondary special education (vso) will also receive face-to-face lessons from 2 June. Just like secondary schools, a distance of one and a half meters must be kept at these schools, but 'even more customization is needed', according to the cabinet, because there are more students in risk groups.
Above
AObChairman Stolk thinks it is nice for the teachers and students to be able to really look each other in the eye where possible. “After weeks of teaching online, they really want to see each other again,” she says. "A screen is really something else." Stolk does insist that schools themselves must determine how they are going to organize education. “You shouldn't impose that from above from a tower in The Hague. It will be easier for one school than for another school. The size of the building, how many teachers there are, how well the online lessons work. That differs per school. ”
MBO and higher education
From 15 June, secondary vocational education institutions, colleges and universities are again allowed to conduct tests, supervise vulnerable students and offer practical training. However, this must be organized in such a way that students do not have to travel to the school during rush hour.
AObmembers who work in primary schools and in special (primary) education receive an email with a newsletter. There you will find the link to the poll.
