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 Countries are taking different approaches to minimise contagion in
schools, as outlined below.
BRITAIN
Primary schools reopened in England on June 1, starting with some
year groups. Secondary school students aged 15 to 18 returned on
June 15. All years are back full time for the new school year this
week. Scotland's schools reopened on Aug. 11.
A recent survey of mostly English schools shows 96% of schools are
splitting classes into small groups or 'bubbles', with each group
keeping a safe distance from the other groups to minimise contagion
risk. The vast majority plan to change break times and stagger start
times, according to the survey by the National Association for Head
Teachers.
Rules on face masks and other protective equipment differ: secondary
students in England need only wear face masks in communal spaces if
lockdowns are imposed in their areas. In Scotland, they will be
compulsory when moving about school.
FRANCE
Schools reopen on Sept. 1
Students aged over 11 years must wear face masks at all times,
including indoors. Schools must limit the mixing of class groups,
and ventilate and disinfect classrooms.
School attendance is mandatory, though schools can adapt to a surge
in local coronavirus infections by, for example, limiting attendance
for a few days or weeks. In the event of a major regional outbreak,
schools can close temporarily.
In kindergarten, children within the same class group need not
observe social distancing. Primary schools can split up classes into
groups of 8 to 15 pupils who alternate between half-days in class
and learning from home. At secondary schools, all students attend
school at least a few days a week.
GERMANY
Children have been returning to school full time since early August.
In most states, children and teachers have to wear masks indoors
except when at their desks. North Rhine Westphalia dropped a rule
that older students wear masks in lessons after criticism from
parents and doctors.
Classes or year groups must keep to different parts of the school
during breaks. Doors and windows are kept open as much as possible.
Most teachers have returned to school, though campaigners are
pushing for more protection for them. Some online lessons continue
in special circumstances.
GREECE
Schools are expected to reopen on Sept. 7 but a delay may be deemed
necessary.
Teachers and students will be required to wear masks in class and
other indoor spaces, with each being given one fabric mask. Class
sizes will be limited to 17 students.
ITALY
Schools in most regions are set to reopen on Sept. 14. Measures to
minimise contagion are still being finalised.
To aid social distancing, entry times will be slightly staggered and
new, single desks will be introduced in the coming weeks. Mask
wearing will be obligatory for those arriving and leaving school,
but they can be removed during lessons if there is a safe distance
between desks.
Some secondary schools with larger class sizes say they will use a
mix of distance learning and on-site teaching to prevent
overcrowding. The government has agreed to provide more funds to
increase public transport to allow for safe travel to schools.
If a student or teacher is infected, it will be up to head teachers
and health authorities to decide whether to shut down whole schools,
single classes or impose quarantine on those directly involved.
THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch elementary and high schools began reopening in stages in
August, as normal.
Primary and high school classes are conducted face-to-face. Neither
students nor teachers are required to wear face masks. Some teachers
have been reluctant to return to work and a number of schools
introduced their own mask requirements.
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If a student is infected, everyone in his or her household must stay home for 10
days. Children aged above six years who show symptoms must stay home and get
tested; younger pupils may attend school and day-care even with mild cold
symptoms, but must stay home if they have a fever.
NORWAY
Schools reopened gradually from April 27.
Children are not required to wear face masks and school hours remain largely
unchanged.
Online learning is no longer an option. Classmates stick together and do not mix
at school with members of other cohorts. During breaks, each class is assigned a
different area of the playground. Break times are also staggered. Children with
symptoms must stay home and be tested for COVID infection. In kindergartens,
children can attend even if they have a sniffle but must stay home if symptoms
are more serious.
POLAND
Schools reopen Sept. 1
Face masks are not compulsory in class. Headmasters decide on use of masks in
common areas and on whether to stagger school hours. Requests by some schools
and municipalities to delay school reopenings have been declined. Primary and
high schools in cities such as Warsaw are crowded and some educators say it will
be impossible to respect social distancing rules even with staggered hours.
Families who decline to send their children to school may face a fine of up to
10,000 zlotys ($2,710).
RUSSIA
Schools reopen on Sept. 1.
Classroom times and breaks will be staggered to prevent overcrowding in common
areas. Temperature checks are carried out at school. Students with flu-like
symptoms are isolated. Children are advised to wear masks but it is not
compulsory. Staff are expected to wear masks all the times unless explaining new
material or standing at a safe distance from students.
Online education will not be offered as an alternative.
SPAIN
Primary and secondary schools start the academic year across the regions in the
first three weeks of September.
School attendance is mandatory, as are face masks in class for children aged six
and over. Students must wash their hands at least five times a day. Social
distancing must be observed, except among members of a "bubble", a small group
of children who must distance from members of other bubbles. Temperature checks
are carried out each morning, at school or at home.
SWEDEN
Swedish schools stayed open throughout the pandemic and welcomed students back
in mid-August after the summer break. Local authorities decide how to handle
possible outbreaks, including the option of closing individual schools.
Each school is responsible for following guidelines on social distancing and
hygiene. Masks are not mandatory.
Some municipalities changed school schedules to avoid crowding on public
transport. Keeping schools open in spring did not lead to higher infection rates
among students compared with neighbouring Finland where schools temporarily
closed, according to a joint report by the two countries' public health
agencies.
($1 = 3.6878 zlotys)
(Reporting by Katya Golubkova in Moscow, Gavin Jones in Rome, Emma Thomasson in
Berlin, Andrei Khalip in Lisbon, Renee Maltezou in Athens, Gwladys Fouche in
Oslo, Anthony Deutsche in Amsterdam, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Marc
Jones in London, Johan Ahlander in Stockholm, and Geert De Clercq in Paris;
Writing by Mark Bendeich; Editing by Nick Tattersall)
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