30,000 self-tests are stored in the three Eindhoven school buildings where Martin van den Berg is director-manager. Received from the government, but he has no idea what exactly is the intention with this. “The pallets tests are very much in the way. We still have many questions: should we test all students and how often?”
No security
For Van den Berg, there is absolutely no certainty that his school buildings will open completely again if the cabinet gives permission for this tomorrow. “Of course, as a teacher I can’t wait. It is extremely important for our students to be able to go all the way back to school. But my employer heart says: don’t do it. It’s not wise.”
Corona has wreaked havoc in the Eindhoven school buildings and few teachers have been fully vaccinated. “I think only 10 percent. Far too little.”
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Minister Slob: welcome opening
The OMT, the team of experts advising the cabinet, will meet this afternoon to talk about the secondary schools. With the exception of graduation students, secondary school students still receive limited physical lessons at school; a lot is still going online.
It is expected that the lights will go green and that the schools will be allowed to reopen in the week of May 31. Outgoing Education Minister Arie Slob said this morning before the start of the Council of Ministers: “If it were up to me and if at all possible, I would very much welcome that, bearing in mind the interests of the students.”
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Can not wait
Marieke van den Hurk, rector of The Newest School in Tilburg, cannot wait to reopen. “Parents and students are eager. They can no longer keep up with online lessons.” The rector assumes that the government and RIVM have sufficient arguments that opening can also be done responsibly. Because: “It must of course be possible.”
Van den Hurk has a relatively young team of teachers. That also plays a role. “Of the 80 teachers, about 15 staff members have had corona. Me too. Fortunately, I had almost no complaints myself.”
Backwards in performance
A pupil at the New School now goes back to school physically for an average of two and a half days. “You notice that the students no longer feel like being taught behind a screen. Even the best students are deteriorating in performance and motivation now. The older teachers are vaccinated, but those who prefer to continue teaching online can do so.”
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Education union CNV: Majority of teachers do not want a full reopening
A survey conducted by the CNV Education trade union shows that more than half of the education staff does not want a full reopening of secondary schools. The poll shows that more than 25 percent of the respondents do not feel safe when secondary schools reopen.
About 22 percent of teachers fear ‘the continuity of education’ if too many teachers drop out due to a corona infection. This would also jeopardize the correction of the final exams now underway.
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