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Air purifier in a school
Photo: Marijan Murat / picture alliance / dpa
The number of corona cases is increasing, but in many schools the air is less clean than it could be. The two large teachers' unions in Germany criticize the still missing air filters in classrooms. "Embedded in room, ventilation and hygiene concepts, air filter systems must be installed immediately," said Maike Finnern, chairwoman of the Education and Science Union (GEW), the editorial network Germany (RND). The Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE) also complained that not much had happened in terms of air-purifying filters.
There has been partial progress, but there can be no talk of broad success, said VBE Federal Chairman Udo Beckmann.
He attributes this mainly to complicated funding procedures and the financial weakness of the municipalities.
"The federal government provided 80 percent of the funding, but many municipalities did not have the strength to contribute the missing 20 percent," said Beckmann.
As a result, often nothing at all happened.
GEW boss Finnern criticized that the measures taken so far were not sufficient.
More and more schools have to close because of corona outbreaks, in Saxony this already affects about every fourth school.
"If the infection situation requires it, it may be necessary to bring the Christmas holidays forward."
Beckmann and Finnern did not want to give a general assessment of whether there would have to be a general requirement to wear a mask again in schools across Germany.
If the development continues like this, however, there will be no avoiding reintroduction of the mask requirement in schools, said Beckmann.
"Wearing masks in the interiors of schools is - despite all the right educational concerns - a sensible and effective measure to prevent infections," said Finnern.
cpa / afp