call AOb to schools: put health staff and students first
The corona protocol for the reopening of primary schools has just been published. “We wanted more protection for teaching staff and students,” says AObdirector Jelmer Evers, "and we have been hammering on that for the past few days."
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In the protocol the trade unions, together with the employers, have tried to reach agreements within the framework of the service document that the minister published yesterday. The end result is that this protocol now describes the concrete measures that primary schools can or must take to prevent corona infections.
Our position remains that staff should not be forced to physically work at school if they are concerned about their health
De AOb and other unions provided input for this protocol today. Not all input is included, says AObdriver Jelmer Evers. After a day of tug-of-war, he has mixed feelings about the end result. “The measures in the protocol are workable. But we could have done even more emphatically to protect employees. Our position is and remains that staff members should not be forced to physically work at school if they are concerned about their health. The protocol now states that a staff member can 'consult with his superior to arrive at a workable solution'. ”
Election campaign
Furthermore, the cabinet has not resolved many of the questions and concerns of education staff. Evers: “We have asked very clearly for the decision to reopen the schools to be properly substantiated. What were the considerations? Does the OMT now fully support this, or does the reopening especially fit in politically well in the election campaigns? We have not yet received a good answer to that. ”
Quarantine
Evers calls on colleagues to find their own way as much as possible together with the team and within the rules. There is room for that. The health of staff and students must be the top priority. “There are already a number of schools that keep their doors closed because they do not think it is responsible to open in their situation. We understand such a decision. Teachers want to teach, but it must be responsible. This means that schools can safely open in some situations, but not in others. The situation is also fragile. Because if teachers have to be quarantined and no replacements can be found, a class will still be at home."
De FAQ about corona measures will be adapted to the new protocol as soon as possible. “And members can always contact us if they have any questions or doubts,” says Evers.
Also read: 'Cabinet does not take corona concerns teachers seriously enough'
