Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – The NRW school management association is concerned about the start of classes in North Rhine-Westphalia in around two weeks. The state chairman of the association, Antonietta Zeoli, said on Friday in the WDR 5 “Morgenecho” that many teachers feared contracting the corona virus and then no longer being available for lessons. The new school minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) had recommended wearing corona protective masks voluntarily in the classes and other indoor areas in the new school year from August 10, but there was no obligation.
Zeoli complained that school management did not have the opportunity to exert pressure with the corona tests either. According to Minister Feller, on the first day of school after the summer holidays, the state wants to give all students the opportunity to test themselves at school. Otherwise, the state has schools hand out antigen self-tests for children and young people as well as school staff, which should be used on a voluntary basis at home before going to school if there are relevant symptoms.
The cross-ventilation in the classrooms, which is recommended by the Federal Environment Agency, is often not possible because of the structural conditions if “the window is on the right, the corridor on the left”. Zeoli emphasized that it will remain difficult for schools to implement protective measures. In terms of air filters, it is gratifying that Feller recommends them. The decisive factor, however, is the behavior of the municipalities, which would have to acquire them as school authorities. So far, the filters have only been installed “sporadically”. The energy crisis also threatens to exacerbate the financial difficulties of the municipalities.
Regarding the hiring of refugee Ukrainian teachers, the association’s chairwoman said that the school management had indeed found staff. But there were no contracts to employ them.
