The school year was another stress test for teachers and students: Corona is not over yet and then Ukrainian children and young people had to be admitted. Next, a gas shortage situation will probably have to be dealt with.
Stuttgart (dpa/lsw) – For 1.5 million schoolchildren and around 130,000 teachers in Baden-Württemberg, this Wednesday is the last day of school and the start of the summer holidays. After the certificate was handed over, it was time for a good six weeks to take a deep breath after another “exceptional school year”, as Minister of Education Theresa Schopper (Greens) put it.
The new school year begins on September 12th. It is already becoming apparent that the schools will once again have to overcome a number of challenges. The corona pandemic could worsen again in autumn, and even more Ukrainian children and young people are likely to come to school. The Ministry of Culture expects that there will be 10,000 more, and that around 30,000 refugees will have to be trained.
It is also foreseeable that the threatened gas shortage in autumn and winter will not leave the schools unaffected. Some municipalities, which are also responsible for schools, are already considering where they can turn down the heating or whether they should still heat gymnasiums at all. In addition, because of Corona, many classrooms have to be aired out regularly. Pupils and teachers should therefore be prepared for the fact that it will be cooler in the classroom and that they will need at least a sweater.
GEW regional manager Monika Stein asked the state government to do their homework during the holidays. “Safe schools need air cleaning systems and functioning heating systems,” said the union chairwoman of the dpa. “Good education needs relief for teachers who cannot permanently juggle the shortage of skilled workers and the lack of substitute reserves.”