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German School in Istanbul (symbol picture)
Photo: Can Merey / dpa
While in Germany the preferred vaccination of employees in schools and daycare centers is being discussed, the teachers at schools abroad have to be patient: "It is foreseeable that German diplomatic missions abroad will offer vaccinations for German citizens living abroad," it says in an email from mid-February to the foreign teachers that SPIEGEL has received.
The responsible Central Office for Schools Abroad (ZfA) at the Federal Office of Administration emphasizes that they will "advocate a transparent presentation of the options for vaccinating foreign teachers".
At the same time, it is made very clear to those affected in the two-page letter that they should not have too high hopes for a vaccine supply.
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According to the Federal Office of Administration, there are currently 1,186 teachers on foreign service, plus 237 so-called federal program teachers and 66 state program teachers, as well as specialist advisors and process facilitators - a total of 1557 teachers.
In addition, there are the teachers at military schools and at European schools.
Better on your own
It is true that all of these teachers on assignment abroad belonged to the same priority group as their colleagues in Germany, according to the letter.
At the moment, however, "it is not yet clear when, in view of the current shortage of vaccines," the vaccination of teachers can begin.
Teachers abroad should therefore, if this is possible in their host country, »consider vaccination at their own discretion«.
Where this is not possible, the vaccination should "generally take place in Germany before departure or on the occasion of a home leave at home or, if necessary, at another suitable location in Germany," writes the ZfA.
There is no additional concrete help for teaching staff who are already abroad - only the indication that "the sensitivity for logistical consideration at the health authorities may first have to be created".
In response to a request from SPIEGEL, the Federal Office of Administration also announced: "We will inform you as soon as possible about changes to the vaccination ordinance that are relevant for foreign teachers." That does not sound like a real vaccination strategy for teachers at German schools around the world.
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