Union advocates for diminished scope of lessons for educators
The German Educators and Scientists (GEW) union has recently emphasised the need for improved protective measures in schools to safeguard the health and education of students and teachers during the ongoing pandemic.
In line with its stance on health protection through structural preventive measures, technological upgrades, and ongoing risk evaluations, the GEW has proposed several key demands.
Air Filters: The union highlights the importance of installing high-quality air filters in classrooms to reduce airborne virus transmission and improve indoor air quality. This measure is aimed at reducing the risk of infection and ensuring a safer learning environment.
Digitization: GEW advocates for accelerated and comprehensive digitization in schools to support remote and hybrid learning possibilities. This demand is aimed at ensuring educational continuity during periods of increased infection rates or school closures.
Workplace Risk Assessments: Regular, thorough risk assessments of the school workplace environment are called for, to identify and mitigate hazards related to coronavirus exposure for both staff and students.
These demands align with the GEW’s broader focus on safeguarding health and education through air quality improvements, technological upgrades, and ongoing evaluation of workplace safety risks in schools.
It is worth noting that the GEW has not proposed extending the winter holidays at this time. Instead, the union believes that relief for students and teachers must be created first before considering an extension.
The GEW has also criticised the current protective measures in schools as "too short-sighted," and has called for a consistent digitization of schools as part of its five-point program. Moreover, the union has referred to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), suggesting the consistent use of alternating lessons when the incidence value of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in a week is exceeded. However, the GEW has criticised this recommendation, stating it is not sufficient.
Detailed statistics on quarantine orders at schools are expected to aid in decision-making about protective measures on site, according to the GEW. Additionally, Ilka Hoffmann, a board member of the union, has called for a reduction in teaching material and distancing from exams and tests.
In summary, the GEW union's current priorities focus on ensuring effective air filtration, advancing digitization, and conducting workplace risk assessments to create a safer learning environment for students and teachers amidst the ongoing pandemic.
In the context of ensuring a safer learning environment during the pandemic, the GEW union emphasizes the importance of installing high-quality air filters for reduced airborne virus transmission (education-and-self-development). Moreover, the union believes in accelerated and comprehensive digitization to support remote and hybrid learning possibilities (science and education).
