CoV: More and more classes in homeschooling
education
Due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases, when more and more classes go back to homeschooling. Nevertheless, schools should remain open as long as possible – that is the permanent goal of state politics.
The number of coronavirus infections is currently growing rapidly among children and adolescents in Salzburg. The seven-day incidence among five- to fourteen-year-olds has recently risen to values well over two thousand. This means that the students are the age group with the highest number of new corona cases.
Distance learning as a last resort
Therefore, classes are currently being sent to more and more Salzburg schools for home tuition because there are so many corona cases. In some classes, more than half of the students are currently infected. This is necessary if an infection is detected or if too many teachers in a school fall ill, says Daniela Gutschi (ÖVP), state councilor for education. Distance teaching is always the last resort.
Gutschi: “That is how long it takes face-to-face teaching”
How long exactly the face-to-face lessons can be maintained cannot be estimated at the moment, says Gutschi. The decision will be made by the national Covid board in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The clear goal of State Councilor Gutschi and the Salzburg politicians is to keep the schools in classroom teaching as long as possible.
Stricter rules in schools
As of today, pupils and teachers in upper grades have to wear FFP2 masks again – also in class. Even in elementary schools, middle schools and lower grades, FFP2 is advised outside the classroom, even if only normal mouth and nose protection is required here. All school events have been canceled. This week another vaccination campaign should start among the teaching staff.