Mainz (dpa / lrs) – ball games outside in frosty weather or inside with a mask: school sport polarizes in cold epidemic times – some reject it, others are happy that exercise is still possible in schools. The State Schoolchildren’s Representation (LSV) Rhineland-Palatinate in Mainz recently complained: “Lungs burning in cold air, frozen career paths, sweaty clothes and no changing facilities – this is what physical education currently looks like.” Outside, the risk of colds is too great. According to a LSV spokesman, the problem inside is that sports halls often don’t ventilate enough to avoid corona infections. The LSV therefore demands that school sports always switch to theory lessons.
The Ministry of Education in Mainz, on the other hand, emphasizes in a guideline: “Even in times of the corona pandemic, school sport makes an important contribution to the holistic development of children and adolescents. Exercise, play and sport are important elements of everyday school life.” They would have to be adapted to the pandemic.
Nelson Djifroudi (18), a student at the Johannes-Gymnasium in Lahnstein, says about school sports: “This variety is really good if you have classroom lessons anyway.” His sports teacher Oliver Engel adds: “Many students are in a golden learning age, where they can develop their motor skills best.” The pupils who usually sit for a long time should not be deprived of exercise, especially since club sports are currently prohibited. “Exercise is also prevention: a healthy body can deal with viruses better,” emphasizes Engel.
The Education and Science Union (GEW) Rhineland-Palatinate welcomes the continuation of school sports with corona requirements. Even before the epidemic, many students did not exercise enough, says GEW member Jochen Sachsenhauser. Younger people in particular have a lot of urge to move – this should be encouraged.
The corona pandemic, however, enforces numerous restrictions. The Ministry of Education recommends in its guidelines: “In dry weather, physical education should preferably take place outdoors.” The mask can be dispensed with there. When teaching indoors, however, pupils from the fifth grade must wear mouth and nose protection – even in sports halls. Twelfth grader Nelson Djifroudi says: “We pay attention to minimum distances and do not do such strenuous things so that we do not emit as many aerosols.” Contact sports are not possible. Balls, for example, would be disinfected before and after.
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