Compulsory attendance in Brandenburg schools is to be lifted

Due to the corona infection situation, the requirement to be present in schools in Brandenburg is to be lifted. This was announced by Minister of Education Britte Ernst (SPD) on Tuesday morning on the rbb’s Inforadio.

Parents should be able to decide for themselves whether to send their children to school, explained the minister. This also corresponds to the parents’ wishes. The details – such as exceptions for graduating classes – are still being worked out.

In addition, will the Christmas holidays brought forward three days. The 14-day seminar-free block should help reduce contacts, Ernst continued. “As in the past year and a half, however, we primarily want to ensure that the schoolchildren can achieve their degrees at least well.”

Ernst emphasized that it is important that the respective educational biographies are not permanently damaged. “That is always the main consideration that we have to make,” said the SPD politician.

In the Brandenburgr schools it is already mandatory to wear a mask. In addition, the pupils and those working at the school have to test themselves for the coronavirus three times a week. The school is therefore a “safe learning environment”, so Ernst.

Ernst also sees the responsibility of adults to relax the situation for the children through vaccinations. School closings shouldn’t be the solution.

The Brandenburg State Parents’ Council has meanwhile sharply criticized the state government’s plans to lift compulsory attendance at schools in view of the sharp rise in corona numbers. The chairman René Mertens said on Tuesday Antenne Brandenburg from the rbb that it was an oath of disclosure.

Nothing has been done all year to make schools safer. The parents would have wished for air filters, concepts, digital lessons and technical equipment, said Mertens. This step could have been avoided if appropriate measures had been initiated early on.

But politics did nothing, no one listened to parents and associations. The children have not yet made up for the arrears – and now new arrears are being produced again.

In view of the increasing number of infections, the Brandenburg state government wants on Tuesday Resolve stricter corona rules. The round decides on the extension of the 2G rule to retail with the exception of supermarkets and other shops with the necessary needs. This allows access only to those who have been vaccinated and recovered, but not to those who have been tested. The 2G rule already applies in restaurants, theaters, cinemas, concert halls and leisure pools.

According to the State Chancellery, contact restrictions are also planned. Only up to five people should be able to meet in public, not counting those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. The same should apply to private celebrations or rented rooms in restaurants.

Broadcast: Brandenburg aktuell, 11/23/2021, 7:30 p.m.