Shortly after school starts: Government regulations put schools under pressure - "That is simply impossible"

The Bavarian state government has ordered pool tests and vaccination offers for schools.

However, she was left alone with the organization.

Munich - Just yesterday (September 14th) the schools in Bavaria started again.

But already now many teachers and school administrators feel overwhelmed.

The reason is numerous new regulations to combat the corona pandemic * that have been imposed on educational institutions.

Now there is criticism from teachers' associations and the Bavarian opposition.

(By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you about all developments and results from the Free State about the upcoming federal election - and of course about all other important stories from Bavaria.)

Lollipop tests at elementary and special schools: pressure is passed on to schools

Testing remains the method of choice in Bavarian schools - especially in the lower grades, where vaccination is not yet possible. In order to make it easier and more pleasant for the little ones, the Bavarian state government decided to introduce so-called lollipop tests at elementary and special schools. In other words, pool tests * in which the children only have to suck off a test stick similar to a lollipop instead of getting the stick up their noses. In itself a good idea - only those who are responsible for the quick implementation, opinions differ.

Everything had to be done quickly when implementing the lollipop tests. “The school year begins as the old one ended: hectic, stress and great pressure. Did it have to be like that? ”Said the chairwoman of the Bavarian Teachers' Association (BLLV), Simone Fleischmann, in Munich. Only on Friday did the ministry inform the schools about the new PCR pool tests, criticized the Education and Science Union (GEW). With the child-friendly lollipop tests for sucking, it should start nationwide as early as next Monday. "That is madness", said Vice President Florian Kohl. Within a few days, parents should be informed, declarations of consent should be obtained, parenting evenings should be held, access to a digital interface should be created and the logistics should be clarified. "That is simply impossible," emphasized Kohl.

Corona: Vaccination offers in schools should be the responsibility of the government

There was also criticism from teachers' associations and the opposition because of the organization of vaccination offers in secondary schools.

Prime Minister Markus Söder * (CSU) had announced at the end of last school year that there would be such campaigns in schools if the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) endorsed vaccination for young people from the age of twelve.

Education Minister Michael Piazolo (Free Voters) also supported this idea.

In the end, only the implementation was left to the schools.

"The transfer of responsibility is madness," said Fleischmann to the

. “The organization cannot be managed, the headmasters come under pressure on the first day of school.” According to the FSVO President, the headmasters get the impression that after one and a half years of crisis management the ministry has not understood who has to do which tasks. The whole action is based on a letter from the Ministry of Culture dated August 19, in which the headmasters were informed "to contact your local vaccination center as soon as possible and to make the necessary preparations during the summer vacation".

The BLLV receives support from the Bavarian opposition.

The health policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, Dominik Spitzer, told the

: "Instead of taking the organization of low-threshold vaccination offers on site through mobile vaccination teams into their own hands, the work has been put on the school billing authorities and the schools." The education policy spokeswoman for the Greens, Gabriele Triebel, put it: "If Mr. Söder wants to step on the gas with the vaccination, then he should take care of it." The fact that the headmasters are now responsible brings the barrel to overflowing.

List of rubric lists: © Michael Reichel / dpa / Symbolbild