In the Corona crisis, the Ifo Institute warns of the consequences of the failure to teach. There are several cases of Covid 19 at a school in Münster. The news ticker.
- For weeks, nothing went to German schools because of the corona pandemic *.
- In the meantime, the plans for the slow resumption of teaching are in place . Concepts for distance learning are also developed.
- Meanwhile, the Ifo Institute warns of the consequences of the long absence from classes (update from May 18, 11:45 a.m.). Now four medical associations are promoting the full opening of schools and daycare centers (update May 19, 8:17 a.m.).
Update of May 19, 7.40 p.m .: This news should make both parents and teachers in the corona crisis in Germany equally thoughtful.
In a secondary school in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, four students and two teachers tested positive for the corona virus. All pupils and teachers of the affected secondary school - almost 300 people - would now be tested, said a city spokesman.
Lessons are hardly possible under these circumstances, it said. The Münster secondary school is thus perhaps an example of a scenario that could be part of public life for months to come: Schools have to be closed again due to corona cases or at least restrict teaching.
Here too, it will take a long time to return to normal. In Bavaria, for example, teachers from risk groups, over 60 years of age or pregnant teachers do not have to take part in on-site classes.
Schools in the Corona Crisis: Children should be less contagious
Update of May 19, 8:17 a.m .: The question of the role of children in the spread of the coronavirus divides. Now four medical associations have called for the full opening of kindergartens and schools despite the corona pandemic .
Children are less affected and less contagious, the argument goes. However, the social consequences of the lockdown in the education sector are serious.
The joint paper, which the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (Tuesday) reports, states: "Especially in children under the age of ten, the current data speak for both a lower infection rate and a significantly lower infection rate." They write in their statement German Society for Hospital Hygiene, the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, the German Academy for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and the Professional Association of Pediatricians in Germany, "Kindergartens, kindergartens and primary schools should be reopened as soon as possible", "without restrictions". Also, no small groups would have to be formed for protection against the corona virus . Neither keeping a distance nor masks are necessary.
"More important than the individual group size is the question of the constant constancy of the respective group and avoidance of intermingling," says the paper. In other words, an entire class could certainly be taught, as long as during the breaks in the corona crisis, care is taken to ensure that the students do not meet those of other classes.
On the controversial question of how contagious children are, the authors write: "Numerous findings speak against an increased risk of infection by children." Various studies and evaluations "provide an increasingly conclusive picture that children in the current Covid 19 pandemic, in contrast to Role in influenza transmission does not play a prominent role in the dynamics of spread. "
Schools in the Corona Crisis: Ifo Institute warns of serious consequences of the break in learning for later income
Update from May 18, 11.45 a.m .: From the Ifo Institute's point of view , as many students as possible should soon receive as much instruction as possible. The institute warned on Monday that the loss of learning due to corona had a negative impact on their future income . If about a third of the school year would be lost, this would mean an average of "about three to four percent lower earned income" over the course of working life, wrote Ifo education economist Ludger Wößmann in an article published by the Munich-based research institute on Monday.
Schools in the Corona Crisis: Ifo Institute emphasizes the economic consequences of the long break in learning
Wößmann warned that a lack of instruction permanently diminished the skills development and the subsequent success of affected students on the job market . This would show, among other things, "studies of school closures due to strikes, pre-planned short school years and long school holidays". Conversely, according to the Ifo Institute, the educational economy also shows that "every school year of additional learning increases the life income by an average of around ten percent".
The Ifo Institute warns of the consequences that the long absence from classes can have on the future income of students. (Icon image)
© dpa / Arne Dedert
At the moment, learning "for a notable part" of German students is largely absent, wrote Wößmann in his article. "We have to do everything we can to ensure that all children and young people - with or without school presence - learn again immediately," he said. He warns the decision-makers " to keep an eye on the high consequential costs of missing learning ".
Schools in the Corona Crisis: Bavaria extends application deadline for prospective students
Update from May 18, 11:02 am: A study by German scientists shows that the gradual reopening of schools - as in all other areas - should be handled with extreme care . They researched contagion routes and found that fleeting contacts are enough to infect the corona virus.
By the way: Not only the schools in Germany are gradually opening again. The restaurants are also allowed to unlock gradually. Strict rules apply - but a hygiene expert considers the concepts of most federal states to be inadequate.
Update from May 17, 1:22 pm: Due to the Corona crisis , prospective students in Bavaria should have more time this year to submit their certificates for a restricted admission place . The applications would need in the Free State now until August 20 take place, the science ministry said in Munich on Sunday.
The reason: Because of the pandemic, the exams were postponed from April 30th to May 20th . In addition, the application portal at the Foundation for University Admission could not be opened on April 15. This should now take place on July 1st. And also for centrally allocated study places , the deadline is expected to be extended to August 20 , said a ministry spokeswoman. Those who want to enroll for a course of study that is not restricted in admission must do so before the start of the winter semester on October 1st.
Schools in the Corona crisis: Apparently, many students could not be reached digitally
Update from May 15, 1:35 p.m .: On Friday, the child protection hotline of the German Federal Ministry of Family Affairs reports a strikingly high number of reports that indicate violence against children.
Update from May 15, 11:52 a.m .: Apparently, many students in Germany could not be reached digitally in the coronavirus crisis . This is the result of an evaluation of the “School Barometer”, which was published on Friday by the Institute for Education Management and Economics of Education at the University of Teacher Education in Zug in Switzerland. Only a little more than half of the school employees surveyed stated that they had reached virtually all of the pupils.
As part of the study, more than 7,000 school-based people - including 655 school heads - from Germany, Austria and Switzerland were interviewed.
Schools in the Corona Crisis: Germany performs poorly technically
Of the three neighboring countries, Germany is the worst performing school. 56 percent of the school employees surveyed from the Federal Republic do not believe that the technical capacities at the school are sufficient for the web-based teaching and learning formats necessary in the Corona crisis . Only 24 percent believe that the requirements are met. The proportion is significantly higher in the two Alpine countries (Austria 54 percent, Switzerland 57 percent).
When it comes to communication media in the times of Corona , schools still rely primarily on email (66 percent), followed by a mobile phone (call or message), the school's website and online platforms such as Moodle.
Corona virus in Germany: teachers do not reach a number of students
In the “School Barometer”, only 36 percent of school employees surveyed in Germany report that they can reach their students in the Corona crisis via online learning and work platforms. In Austria this value is significantly higher at 63 percent and in Switzerland at 57 percent.
Meanwhile, the federal government is discussing continued payment of wages for parents who are unable to do their jobs due to closed schools and daycare centers. Apparently, these should not be extended.
Schools in the Corona Crisis: Talking about distance learning even after the summer holidays
Update of May 12, 9:33 a.m .: According to Stefanie Hubig (SPD) , Minister of Culture Conference , teachers should also prepare for distance learning after the summer holidays . "It would be wise for teachers to think about it during the holidays," Hubig said on Tuesday on RTL / n-tv "Early start".
Schools in Corona times: KMK chairman Hubig does not comment on the prospect of regular school operations
She did not want to assess the extent to which regular school operations would be possible. "At the moment, we cannot really say what class will look like after the holidays, because it depends to a large extent on whether the number of infections remains stable and whether the distance rules continue to apply at 1.50 meters," she said. However, Hubig does not believe that the pupils will have to make up for a disproportionate amount of material next year. "I think the gap will not be so big that it will be a tough school year," said the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Education.
Incidentally, more and more conspiracy theories are circulating in Germany. You can read an analysis of the best-known claims at Merkur.de *. Many conspiracy theorists are also participating in corona demonstrations these days. Such protests also took place in the Bavarian capital of Munich on Saturday. Corona demo Munich, read at tz.de *.
Update from May 11, 10.25 a.m .: The Association of Cities and Municipalities warns of massive problems when starting school and daycare in the coming weeks. "We have to organize a shift operation so that there are never too many children in the school building at the same time," association president Uwe Brandl told the newspaper Welt on Monday. He further explained that the cycle times of the buses had to be adjusted so that all pupils came to the schools. To do this, separate bus routes would have to be organized in rural areas.
Schools in Corona times: City Association warns of considerable difficulties with openings
According to the previous requirements, there must be tendering procedures in order to find the cheapest provider. According to Brandl, this approach is not practical in the current situation. "If we continue to do this, we will only be able to establish a bus service in October ," he predicted and emphasized: "We need quick decisions. Including those that may take place beyond the previous procurement practice. "
For the further opening of the daycare center operation , Brandl called for a readjustment on the part of politicians. She had to allow more children to be looked after . "Even if that involves a higher risk," Brandl clarified. In Bavaria, for example, five children are currently being looked after by two teachers in a group room. "With such a concept, we will quickly reach spatial and personnel limits ," the association president is certain. "This will completely drain our resources ."
Brandl also warned of a drastic slump in municipal finances as a result of the coronavirus crisis. "I expect a drop of 30 to 40 percent this year," said the head of the association. However, the medium-term perspective is even more dramatic . The financial crisis was overcome thanks to massive public investment. "We have to do it again. That is why we are calling for a rescue package and a stringent approach from the federal and state governments, ”said Brandl.
Schools in Corona times: FDP boss Lindner demands that daycare centers be opened as soon as possible
While the association president points out the considerable difficulties in the gradual reopening of schools and daycare centers, the FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Lindner has asked the federal and state governments to open the daycare centers as soon as possible . "We owe this to both children and parents," he told the German Press Agency in Berlin. He also emphasized that fighting the virus should not be unilaterally at the expense of children and parents.
Children would need to contact their peers because they would otherwise fall behind in their development. And for mothers and fathers, taking care of toddlers in addition to the home office is extremely challenging. You would need relief here. "We won't be able to get back on our feet economically without opening the daycare," warned Lindner. The FDP chief also criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel . Unfortunately, valuable time was wasted because Merkel " slowed down the daycare opening". According to Lindner, the federal and state governments could have prepared the opening last week. "Concepts were on the table, but their advice would be postponed," complained Lindner.
Update from May 11, 2020, 8.10 a.m .: Gradually, schools in Germany are starting up again. The final classes are now mostly reintegrated into the classroom. In the meantime, the German University Association has dealt with what should happen if this year's Abitur should turn out worse than the average of the past few years as a result of the Corona crisis . In this case the association requests a grade bonus .
Schools in Corona times: University Association brings up grade bonus for high school graduates
"There should be no disadvantage for the 2020 Abitur class," said association president Bernhard Kempen to the newspapers of the Funke media group . The special conditions under which the Abitur takes place this year should be taken into account. The corona virus should not devalue the curriculum vitae of an entire year, Kempen said.
"If the students' performance turns out to be significantly worse than the average of the last few years, then I expect to compensate for the disadvantages, " emphasized Kempen. Anything else would be unfair. If, for example, Abitur grades in 2020 were 0.4 or 0.5 points worse on average, the students would have to receive a bonus. It was not necessary to change the Abitur certificates. "It would be conceivable, for example, that the universities grant an appropriate bonus for the subjects with restricted admissions," suggests the head of the association. However, the federal states and university rectors would have to agree on a nationwide uniform regulation .
Schools in Corona times: After weeks of e-learning, face-to-face classes should start again
First report from May 11, 2020:
Munich - A memorable school year is coming to an end. And the upcoming weeks before the summer holidays present rectors, teachers and students with unprecedented challenges . After weeks of virtual teaching , the classroom should be taught as extensively as possible - but always under the premise of the corona protection measures *.
There will be no crowded classrooms and tight-fitting students. It says: get creative. And as usual in Corona times, every federal state finds its own way. We show the different plans.
Schools in Corona times: Baden-Württemberg relies on a rolling system
Baden-Württemberg: Since May 4th, pupils of general education schools who take final exams this year or next and students of the examination classes of vocational schools have switched back to face-to-face classes. Primary schools will follow from May 18 , starting with the fourth grade. The classes are halved , the lessons focus on the core subjects. "We assume two to three lessons a day," said Minister of Culture Dr. Susanne Eisenmann.
After Pentecost holidays , all grades should benefit from lessons at school - in a rolling system . This should be interlinked with the distance learning offers. Primary and third graders should be on site at primary schools in one week, and second and fourth graders in the following. In other types of school, the combination 5th / 6th Grade and 7th / 8th Run out of class, additionally at high schools 9./10. Great.
From June 15th - after the Pentecost holidays - all pupils should also receive face-to-face classes at regular intervals in the vocational schools . Grade 1 of vocational high schools will be particularly included because of the Abitur exams in the coming year. In principle, about half of the students should be on site at the same time and taught in small groups.
Schools in Corona times: Bavaria wants to split learning groups and interplay
Bavaria: Since April 27th, classes for the final classes in secondary and vocational schools have been running again. On May 11, the pre-graduate classes are also expected to return to the school building. A week later, other grades and types of school are to follow.
The lesson should staggered take place. The learning groups are divided and alternate weekly or daily . The Ministry of Culture also speaks of a "rolling system". In addition to phases of classroom instruction, there will also be phases of "learning at home" . Exceptions are the final class of most types of school and, up to Pentecost, grade 4 of primary school.
Corona Schools: All students should have returned by April 29th
Berlin: In the capital, the tenth graders started on April 27th because they were in the middle of preparing for the exam. The 6th grade at elementary and community schools, the 9th and 12th grade at the integrated secondary / community schools, as well as the 11th grade at high schools followed on May 4th . The core subjects have priority here.
From May 11th, face-to-face classes for grades 1 and 5 of primary and primary levels at integrated secondary schools / community schools "as well as schools with the same objective and special educational focus" will also take place. The same applies to grade 7 at high schools and other school types.
Pupils with special needs , regardless of their grade, will also be asked to return to school on May 11th . In addition, the school management remains free to have other school classes teach on site. All pupils should switch to face-to-face lessons by May 29 at the latest - with a reduced hourly rate.
Schools in Corona times: Abitur exams in Brandenburg since mid-April
Brandenburg: The Abitur exams began on April 20 , a week later classes were started for final classes who are aiming for the intermediate qualification (advanced technical college entrance qualification) or the advanced vocational training entrance qualification this year. This includes grades 10 of secondary schools, comprehensive schools and high schools as well as schools with special educational focal points "physical and motor development", "hearing", "seeing", "emotional and social development" and "learning".
On May 4th, the students came back who want to graduate next year. The same applies to grade 6 of primary schools and schools with the special educational priorities already mentioned, grade 9 at various schools, grade 11 of high school, and grade 12 of comprehensive schools. From May 11th, grades 5 of primary schools and schools with the above-mentioned special educational focal points will follow.
Clear separation: The students' tables were prepared for the Corona period.
© dpa / Felix Kästle
Schools in Corona times: A four-pillar model is taking effect in Bremen
Bremen: In the smallest federal state, the tenth classes started on April 27, and since May 4, the fourth graders have also been taught in small groups with few hours per week. Bremen relies on a four-pillar model , which includes emergency care, learning at home and lessons at school as well as "additional pedagogical presence offers for pupils with support needs".
"Our goal must be that every student comes to school regularly on a daily or weekly basis," explains Dr. Claudia Bogedan, Senator for Children and Education.
Schools in Corona times: Hamburg students at least once a week in the classroom
Hamburg: Pupils in the final grades returned to the classrooms on April 27th . Since May 4, class 4 of elementary schools, class 6 of high schools and upper grades of district school and high school can also be found there. The classes are divided into small and strictly separate learning groups.
After the Pentecost holidays, all pupils of the other grades should also be offered "at least five or six hours of classroom instruction at least once a week" from May 25th .
Schools in Corona times: Hessen had to postpone the start for fourth graders
Hessen: The final classes returned to class on April 27 . On May 18 - three weeks later than initially planned - the fourth graders of the primary schools are to follow. This date also applies to lower secondary education, the introductory phase of upper secondary education in general education and the intensive classes in secondary education schools. Vocational schools and schools for adults are also to be partially reopened.
After the Pentecost holidays , the "remaining full-time forms of vocational schools", grades 1 to 3 of elementary schools as well as preparatory classes, preparatory courses and intensive classes at elementary schools as well as preparatory courses at evening gymnasiums and Hessenkolleg will follow on June 2nd .
In special schools, the plan is as follows: On May 18, grades 4 and up and all grades of schools with a focus on emotional and social development start, on June 2, the basic levels of all other special schools in grades 1 to 3 follow.
Schools in Corona times: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania started with consultations
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: For tenth graders at regional schools and comprehensive schools, tenth graders at grammar schools that are aiming for middle school, twelfth graders at regular grammar schools and comprehensive schools and year 12 grades at evening gymnasiums , "exam preparation and consultation" has been offered since April 27th . This also applies to the vocational schools with regard to exams and teaching for final classes and for all tenth grades of the intermediate maturity at the supraregional funding centers. Consultations are possible for grades 11 at regular high schools and comprehensive schools, and for grades 12 at evening high schools.
Pupils who aim to graduate next year will be taught in the classrooms again since May 4th . This includes grades 9 of regional schools, comprehensive schools, special needs schools learning and supraregional support centers, grades 11 of regular high schools and grades 12 of evening gymnasiums. A solution is to be found for the fourth graders of the primary schools.
Schools in Corona times: Lower Saxony plans to complete the return by mid-June
Lower Saxony: The final classes in general and vocational schools started their exam preparation on April 27th . Since May 4th, the fourth graders of the primary schools have been taught in the classrooms again.
On May 11th, it will continue for grades 12 and a week later for grades 3, 9 and 10. By mid-June, all students should follow in further stages.
Schools in Corona times: NRW elementary school students should come to the classroom on a weekly basis
North Rhine-Westphalia: The fourth graders in the primary schools resumed face-to-face classes on May 7th . From May 11th, all other primary school years will follow on a rolling basis , which will be taught in the classrooms on a weekly basis . It is open to change this rotation model for two consecutive days.
Also from May 11th, pupils of qualification phase 1 will return to class at the grammar schools and comprehensive schools. If there are also available spatial and personnel capacities, further learning groups and grades could follow. In the main, secondary and secondary schools, in addition to the tenth grade, one or two further grades are taught on a rolling basis in the classrooms.
After the main date of the Abitur exams, all other grades in high schools and comprehensive schools are to be taught starting on May 26, taking into account the capacities to approximately the same extent.
So that nothing burns: students are equipped with a mouthguard.
© dpa / Sven Hoppe
Schools in Corona times: All students should be back in Rhineland-Palatinate by June 8th
Rhineland-Palatinate: The test candidates at vocational schools and high school graduates started again on April 27th . Further final classes of this or coming year followed, as well as grade 4 at primary schools. From May 18, the lower and middle level of the vocational schools will be taught again.
The next step is planned for May 25th and includes roughly grade 3 of the elementary schools and grades 5 and 6 of the orientation level. The return of the remaining students will then be considered for June 8th .
Schools in Corona times: Saxony stipulates nationwide school attendance for May 18
Saxony: Since May 6, pupils of the final and pre-final classes of high schools, evening high schools and colleges, vocational schools, high schools and special schools have been taught again in classrooms. The 4th grades at primary and special schools are already back on site.
The compulsory school attendance for all other students takes on 18th May . Then general education grammar schools, evening grammar schools, colleges, vocational schools, elementary schools, high schools and special schools will again offer face-to-face classes. Schools with a focus on intellectual development are a small exception - here, lessons are gradually resumed from this date.
Schools in Corona times: change between classroom and distance learning in Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt: Already on April 23 , the final classes started their exams and exam preparations in schools. Since May 4, there are also face-to-face classes for all grades that aim to graduate next year, as well as the 4th grade of primary schools. The school management reserves the right to reintegrate the other classes since May 6th .
In the Pentecost from 18 to 29 May is to emergency care to beneficiaries are offered - depending on the capacity of the schools. After the days off, there will be “regular changes between classroom and distance learning” for the students.
Schools in Corona times: before May 4th nothing went in Saxony
Saarland: This is where schoolchildren started on May 4th who want to take final exams this year or who want to acquire a transitional permit. This includes high school graduates from high schools and community schools, vocational students before completing their dual training, ninth and tenth graders from community and special schools, who are aiming for a lower secondary or intermediate education level, as well as special needs students who want to obtain the degree from special education school.
Fourth graders at primary and special schools have also been taught in classrooms since May 4th . On May 11, students of the first year follow the main phase, i.e. 11th graders in high schools and 12th graders in community schools. After the written Abitur exams, it is also planned to offer face-to-face classes again to students in the introductory phase.
Schools in Corona times: Schleswig-Holstein offers advice for some cohorts
Schleswig-Holstein: After taking the Abitur exams on April 21, the second step of the school openings followed on May 6 . Then grade 4 at primary schools, students from grade 6 at grammar schools, which have the possibility of cross-transfer this year, as well as the vocational schools "in accordance with the decision of the vocational schools for the individual classes and groups" again in the classroom. Advisory services are planned in several types of school for other classes.
Schools in Corona times: Students in need of support receive preferential treatment in Thuringia
Thuringia: The starting shot was given on April 27 for high school graduates, final classes of the higher vocational school in the field of geriatric care as well as the central final examinations of the tax specialists. Since May 4, the final classes of the secondary and secondary schools as well as the tenth classes that complete the special performance assessment have been back.
Pupils in need of special support have been back in schools since May 7th regardless of the grade. The fourth graders of the elementary schools report back on May 11th, and the Abitur exams begin one week later.
In our previous news ticker we reported on all previous developments around schools in Germany.
We also provide information on symptoms * of the disease, behavior in suspected cases *, quarantine * and the long-term consequences to be feared *.
* Merkur.de and tz.de are part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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List of rubric lists: © dpa / Sebastian Kahnert