Teachers' union expresses doubts over extended Christmas break duration
German Health Politician Calls for Tightened Corona Measures, but No Clear Stance from Teachers' Association
In a recent tweet, SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach called for a nationwide tightening of coronavirus measures, citing concerns about learning deficits and the widening social gap in educational success due to school closures. However, his call does not explicitly mention the potential impact on the German Teachers' Association's stance on extending the Christmas holidays or any alternative measures for school safety.
Lauterbach's proposed measures include bringing forward and extending the Christmas holidays, but he did not specify any alternative measures to extended holidays. The reintroduction of distance rules with smaller learning groups and easing the situation on school buses and in break halls are not mentioned in his call for action.
Association president Heinz-Peter Meidinger has expressed caution about extending the Christmas holidays due to the corona pandemic. In an interview with the "Handelsblatt" (Monday edition), Meidinger stated that extended holidays should only be considered as a last resort if all other measures fail.
A comprehensive concept for school operations beyond reducing exams and omitting learning content is currently lacking. Alternatives to extended holidays include intensifying the use of alternating models, hybrid teaching, or phases of distance learning for older students. Improved ventilation in schools, mask-wearing, testing regimes, and vaccination campaigns for teachers and students are also measures that have been recommended to keep schools open and safe.
Since no specific statement from the German Teachers' Association is found regarding their stance on extending Christmas holidays during the corona pandemic, it is recommended to consult official statements from the Verband Bildung und Erziehung (VBE) or Deutscher Lehrerverband (German Teachers' Association) websites or recent news articles for their precise position on this issue.
The German Teachers' Association has yet to release a clear position on extending the Christmas holidays during the pandemic, as stated by association president Heinz-Peter Meidinger. Meanwhile, other education-and-self-development news concerns finding alternatives to extended holidays, such as intensifying alternating models, hybrid teaching, or phases of distance learning for older students.
