Regular operation at schools in Rhineland-Palatinate: the state makes schools and teachers wait

The Union for Education and Science (GEW) in Rhineland-Palatinate warns that the binding hygiene plan for schools updated by the Ministry of Education and Health must be submitted urgently so that schools can carry out the planning for the next school year.

Schools and teachers felt abandoned

The Rhineland-Palatinate State Parents’ Advisory Board also raises the alarm. Many school administrators would have been overwhelmed in March, says state parent spokesman Reiner Schladweiler. “They felt let down, which can also be understood: the message on Friday evening – ‘everything is tight from Monday onwards’ was damn tight,” said Schladweiler.

In addition, it would be desirable for everyone if various scenarios were taken into account in a timely manner, says GEW chairman Klaus-Peter Hammer. Because distance learning still has to be fully considered. Among other things, this means that the digital infrastructure has to work in schools and that all subjects are taught. It is essential that all students have the opportunity to participate in the educational process, Hammer says.

Emergency operation must also be improved if it should become necessary again. The right to education comes first, adds Hammer.

Protective equipment in schools is missing

“In many places we expect the school authorities to be significantly more committed and more responsible for schools,” the GEW chairman demands. In addition, the GEW demands from the state the necessary guidelines and support for health protection.

“Unfortunately, we find all too often that school authorities do not provide important protective equipment such as a suitable disinfectant, necessary plexiglass walls or sufficient personnel for the necessary cleaning activities,” explains Hammer.

Schools are struggling with staff shortages

The GEW generally proposes to give schools the necessary freedom to form smaller classes. The GEW sees an additional need of up to 25 percent in the area of ​​personnel supply in order to enable more individual support and appropriate learning groups.

She is also certain: “Overall, significantly more staff will be needed at schools.” The number of posts for the substitution pool and hiring options for substitute teachers must be expanded considerably.

The state parent spokesman is also critical: “One could see that the shortage of staff in the education sector showed limits.” Nothing has changed so far. “It has to be stopped quickly so that the teachers in the risk group who continue to be absent after the holidays can be replaced,” said Schladweiler.

Unfortunately, the opposite is currently happening, temporary contracts are not being extended and precarious employment continues to hang in the air.

“We would have liked to have had more courage, in particular to extend the instructions for all temporary contracts ‘on stock’ because the failure is pre-programmed,” explains Schladweiler.

Parents demand teacher training

He demands: During the holidays, there should be a training course in digital teaching, especially for risk teachers who have to work from home.

“Overall, we have a huge construction site in front of us that needs to be refurbished,” says the state spokesman. “We also have to give the generation that is supposed to shoulder the immense new debts the tools to be able to do this.”

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