“We are going to give physical education again, which is great.” That is the first reaction of Nicole ter Harmsel, primary education teacher and chief administrator of the East Netherlands of the General Education Association (AOb) to the announcement that schools in primary and secondary education can open again from Monday.
“You want to be able to look the children in the eye again, to really teach, to do help rounds. The best education takes place in the classroom.” That opinion is shared by her colleague in secondary education, Kim van Strie. “I am also really relieved that we can teach physically again. I was dreading a longer school closure.”
Ventilation problem
Minister Slob therefore gets his hands on the decision taken today on the advice of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT). However, both teachers do have one important caveat. Ventilation in schools must be improved. The NOS reported today that a quarter of schools do not yet have ventilation in order, while it is generally known that good ventilation can prevent the spread of the corona virus.
This also applies to the schools where Ter Harmsel and Van Strie work. “The ventilation must be in order, because it is very important to prevent infections,” says Nicole ter Harmsel. “At our school, the ventilation is in order when the windows and doors are open, and that is perfectly doable in weather like today. If you get some solid winter weather later or in a few weeks, that’s a thing.”
You notice it in the motivation and structure of students
The same goes for the school where Van Strie teaches. “This also applies to us. Doors open, windows open, lots of airing. That is quite cold, I have also stood in front of the class with a fleece blanket on.”
Primary and secondary schools will reopen to all students after the Christmas holidays. After-school care can also start again. However, safety measures will continue to apply against the coronavirus, such as preventive testing and mouth caps in the hallway from group six. Students with complaints stay at home, parents have to stay outside, teachers have to keep their distance from each other and only meet online.
And then of course there are also concerns about the disadvantages that students have. Backlogs that they already incurred during previous lockdowns and perhaps also in that extra week of ‘holiday’ that the students received this time. “There will undoubtedly be gaps in certain core subjects,” says Ter Harmsel. We’re going to pay attention to that. Language, math, reading comprehension. They are very important in the near future.”
With the current weather it works, but if another cold week arrives, ventilation will become a thing
“You notice it in the motivation and structure of students,” says Van Strie. “That not everyone is equally eager to do their homework. “We have been very busy over the past few months. Now that there is no longer a school closure, we can again focus on making up for those arrears.
Both can get back to work with their students on Monday. And, they both agree, it is not only important that students teach in the most optimal way again. “This decision is also very important for the social contacts of students.”
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