Schools were closed until the May holidays
Schools are generally resigned to the government's decision to close their doors longer. The extension was coming and they call the decision 'logical'.
Beel: Type tank
In higher education in particular, boards had already decided to suspend lessons longer. “It's the only right decision, but fun is different,” says geography teacher René Grommen.
Yesterday evening announced Prime Minister Mark Rutte recommends an extension of the school closure to curb the corona virus. The schools are closed at least until the May holidays and a week before April 28, Rutte comes with a new decision.
Group 6 teacher Ellen de Weger saw the decision coming. "The only question was until when the schools will still be closed: until the May holidays or until June 1st." It is a more difficult message for the children, she notices. “In the first week they still liked it, the second week was okay, but now you notice that the motivation is decreasing a bit. They still do the assignments, but also say that they are tired and that they would like to go to school. ”
Motivation
Geography teacher Grommen at Isendoorn College in Warnsveld also understands the decision. “It would be strange if schools reopened now,” he says. The motivation of his students - he teaches classes 1 to 4 - 'is still quite good'. “Sometimes a student is still in bed in the morning, but then participates in the lesson on Zoom. It's also funny."
You have a much less good feeling about how things are going
At his school, the timetable continues as much as possible: classes start at 8.30 am. Growling especially misses the interaction with his students. “It is still a computer screen. You don't see what you normally see in a class: whether they are doing well, or whether the assignments are successful. You don't get that body language and you have a much less good feeling of how things are going. ”
Nice plans
Grunting had nice plans, like going outside for a lesson about the city, but that is not going to happen for now. “I feel that all the fun is a bit gone. We are now mainly working on the concepts, very basic. I support the decision, but it is no fun. Digital education certainly offers opportunities, but it also shows that it can never be a substitute for what you normally do in real life. ”
The employers' umbrella organizations PO council and VO council believe that the decision provides clarity. 'A logical decision', according to the VO council. The councils are, however, concerned about students having difficulties at home. They demand attention for this. The colleagues of teacher De Weger are also concerned about this. “You see those children getting stuck with digital education. They cannot plan for themselves and they cannot oversee what to do. Some parents also fail to get children to learn in a positive way, without it becoming a real fight. ”
Vulnerable families
In Brabant, schools are now being opened to children from vulnerable families, it reports Brabants Dagblad. This could be a solution, thinks De Weger, although she emphasizes that her team has not decided on this yet. “We'll talk about it, but it's quite complicated. Our parents are very aware of the health risks at the moment. They then have to choose: am I going for education for my child or for safety? " Grommen's school is also open to students who do not have digital options at home. “I don't know exactly how many there are. Almost everyone works at home. ”
Especially now it is important to keep a good picture of vulnerable young people
AObdirector Tamar van Gelder held one in. on Facebook. “To see if teachers think they have the students in the picture. It turns out that a large group of students is indeed in the picture. The motivated among them learn, also or distance. But what do you do with students you don't see, you don't hear about? That makes teachers sleep badly. " The MBO schools provide their education and exams in an adapted form until at least 28 April. The schools have switched to distance learning as much as possible.
According to acting chairman of the MBO council Frank van Hout, the MBO schools will keep a close eye on the fact that all students remain involved. “That certainly also applies to the 16 thousand often vulnerable young people in the entrance courses. Especially in these times it is important to keep a good eye on them. We want to give them extra attention to ensure that they too experience the end of this academic year. And that we will see them again next year. ”
Few immediate consequences
For some of the colleges and universities, the extended school closure up to and including 28 April will have few direct consequences. Quite a few institutions decided namely even to suspend physical education for longer, until 1 June or even until the end of the academic year.
The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences has partially opened buildings to students who do not have a suitable place at home
They made the decision last Thursday at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. No on-site education will be offered until 31 August. "In principle," adds spokesman Wouter Rutten. Should the cabinet still decide in the meantime to provide space for some form of physical education, the university college will consider what is possible. "You could think of practicals and practical tests, which have a higher priority in these circumstances." For the time being, three buildings have been partially opened to students who do not have a suitable place to study at home, for example because they do not have an internet connection.
Meticulous
At the Artez art college in Arnhem, they closely follow the information from the cabinet. In any case, the institution will remain closed until the end of the May holiday. How things will continue after that partly depends on a new decision that the cabinet will take by then. "We assume the measures as they are known now", said spokesperson Marieke de Boer. "We think in terms of scenarios. What if closing lasts until May 1, what if it lasts until June 1: how could we reopen in phases afterwards? ”
It requires an enormous effort to continue small-scale arts education digitally
In the meantime, the university of applied sciences is trying to continue education digitally as best as possible. "The decision to close the schools is much more drastic for us than for a university that can more easily provide online lectures for a large group of students", says De Boer. "This also applies to other manufacturing professions. It requires an enormous effort to continue small-scale arts education digitally. We weren't that busy with online education yet. But it is impressive to see what is happening now. ”
