The head of the Parliament’s Education Committee has called for a meeting of the committee, with the participation of infectious disease experts and education stakeholders, to discuss ten measures for the safe reopening of schools, as called for in a statement by Nikos Filis, head of the Education Sector of SYRIZA-PS.
There is a great deal of anxiety among families as schools prepare to reopen, Mr. Filis states in his announcement, adding: «Schools—despite the government’s claims—are contributing to the spread of the disease, which is why some countries closed them early, before the Christmas break. The situation is similar among the student population, with a record number of infections in that age group (+541.8%!)’. He notes that »SYRIZA believes that every possible avenue must be explored to keep schools open while ensuring daily monitoring of the epidemiological situation and readiness totake the necessary measures, such as extending the school break, if the trajectory of «O“ in the coming days makes this option unavoidable.”.
He then suggests:
Update to the health protocols for the reopening of schools and universities.
Measures to accelerate the universal vaccination of all school-age children.
Elimination of the “50%+1” rule regarding sick students for the closure of a school class. Suspension of a class’s operation upon the first confirmed case, for a period to be determined by the EODY Scientific Committee, and mandatory resumption of classes, after all students have first undergone a free molecular test to “break” the chain of transmission.
Reduce class sizes in school classes with more than 24 students (200,000 students). Hire the additional substitute teachers that will be needed.
Eliminate school mergers that result in classes with as many as 28 or 29 students. Implement measures to ensure regular ventilation of classrooms.
Prescribing molecular tests (when deemed medically necessary) for the entire population and stationing EODY units at school campuses to conduct reliable tests.
‘Special-purpose leave for teachers with underlying medical conditions who request it.
Procurement by municipalities and free distribution of special masks to protect against “O” to teachers and students.
Elimination of the EBE, the Question Bank, and the additional exam workload for this year. Focus on teaching and providing psychological support to children.
Ensuring a secure and adequate public infrastructure for the—unwanted—possibility that the education system might have to switch back to distance learning. Phasing out the Cisco system, following the personal data leak scandal and the damning ruling against the Ministry of Education by the Personal Data Protection Authority.
