Most secondary schools open doors for all students
The majority of secondary schools are fully reopening. This concerns 95 percent of 1438 schools, the Ministry of Education reports. The Education Inspectorate approached boards that had concerns or doubts, and the majority of them also open their doors.
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Outgoing Education Minister Arie Slob obliges secondary schools to fully open from today at the latest. Pupils in the classes then no longer have to keep their distance from each other, but they do have to keep distance from the teaching staff. Previously, the distance rule between students did apply and in practice this meant that there were half classes at school.
In a press release says Slob to be 'proud that schools are taking responsibility'. In May, the ministry announced that secondary schools will reopen fully. The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) - which advises the cabinet - had set a condition for the opening, namely testing all students twice a week.
Arie Slob: 'You learn best at school. Especially after the recent period in which going to school was not a matter of course, a few weeks of full physical education can be important'
Impossible
Many schools and also the AOb saw that self-testing is practically impossible. 'Practically unworkable', according to AOb-driver Henrik de Moel. 'Experiences in higher education show that self-tests are not very popular among young people. Moreover, it is unverifiable for a school whether students actually perform such a self-test twice a week.' The union pointed to the right of consent of the participation council and on the Working Conditions Act which mandates that the working environment must be safe.
Doubts
They also informed the regional media that schools had doubts about the full opening. This is how the Baarnsch Lyceum does not open completely, said the school leader Tegen RTV Utrecht. 'I notice that I am faced with the dilemma that I am a school leader who wants the best for my children', says lyceum rector Henk van Ommen, 'but also an employer whose staff is the most important means of providing good education' .
In Brabant, the Pius X College finally gave in, so writes the board on its website. On May 26, Rector Maarten de Veth reported that the school would not open completely as Slob wished. A few days later, on May 31, the rector reconsidered his decision after a discussion with the Education Inspectorate. 'They have informed me that the school must open fully as of June 7th. Ignoring this decision means sanctions for the Pius X-College.'
AD / De Dordtenaar reports that three schools from Zwijndrecht are not fully opening. A rector of one of the schools mentions, among other things, the self-testing of students as an obstacle. 'The minister has made this a condition for the school to open fully. We cannot guarantee that we can meet this condition.'
Ignoring this decision means sanctions for the Pius X-College
From a questionnaire by de ONGOING It also found that 7 percent of the XNUMX schools surveyed would not open fully. Many schools indicate that they are in a split and there is frustration that educational staff do not prioritized vaccination. Something where the AOb has always advocated.
relaxation
Although secondary education is now fully open, primary education must continue to operate in cohorts. This cannot be relaxed yet, the cabinet said in response to a OMT advice.
View also our frequently asked questions about education and corona.
