AOb concerned about the cabinet's starting point in corona strategy
The cabinet wants to keep schools and institutions open in the event of a revival of a new virus variant. Schools will only partially close if there is an immediate danger to students and teaching staff. AOb-chairman Tamar van Gelder: “If this is the starting point, then the cabinet must also take all our conditions into account.”
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Health Minister Ernst Kuipers wrote to the House of Representatives yesterday that schools and educational institutions will remain open at all costs. 'When taking measures, education is at the bottom of the pile', writes the minister† The government is of the opinion that education has a special - weighty - status, because the sector is important in the development of children and young people.
Prepared
The situation in the Netherlands is also different now than it was two years ago. According to Kuipers, we are better prepared and protected and the immunity level is higher. 'At the same time, we also know that vaccination does not fully protect against infection', warns the health minister. Moreover, the protection decreases over time and two new corona variants are also circulating.
Terms & conditions
AObChairman Van Gelder is concerned about the minister's starting point. According to the union, keeping the schools open is only possible if four conditions are met, otherwise you cannot ask the education staff to do so. Good ventilation is the first point. “It must be in order and if it is not, stop teaching until it is arranged,” says Van Gelder. Then keep your distance. “If we are in a scenario where society keeps one and a half meters away and education does not, then additional measures must be taken such as testing, medical masks and splash screens.”
If ventilation is not in order, stop teaching until it is sorted out
Uit Previous research (August 2021) of the knowledge organization for ventilation, RuimteOK, among 2174 primary schools, it was found that ventilation is far from in order everywhere. Almost a third of the buildings do not meet the minimum requirements. In addition, RuimteOK makes the comment in the report that the percentage of buildings that do not comply may be even higher. This is because some of the measurements were carried out in September, which made it possible to provide extra ventilation without compromising comfort.
Income Protection
The union also argues for priority for educational staff in a new round of vaccinations and income protection for people who have long-term Covid complaints from an infection. “If you absolutely want schools to remain open, also arrange additional insurance so that income is protected.” The AOb mapped the importance of a 'long covid fund' We have already joined politics earlier for employees who are currently struggling with long-term corona complaints.
If you absolutely want schools to remain open, arrange additional insurance so that income is protected
An important point for Kuipers to keep the Netherlands running as smoothly as possible in the event of a pandemic, are the plans that each sector must draw up. They think about possible scenarios and what measures the sector should then take, this differs per sector. In September, the minister will inform the House about the outcome of the plans.
Education must also make such a plan with possible scenarios. “There are no good plans yet,” says de AObchairman. The AOb can only agree to the sector plan if the aforementioned conditions are met. “Our support depends on agreements regarding income protection of personnel and safety aspects such as ventilation.”
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