The fact that the heads of primary schools have come under severe pressure as a result of the Corona crisis affects us all, but at least those who care about the level of education and the children in our country leading pedagogues are no longer able to attend to their core task: the development of concepts that prepare our children for life and specifically for the transition to secondary schools. And because the crisis demands a lot not only from the rectors, but also from all other teachers, the weaker students in particular are ultimately the ones who suffer, especially since they are left alone with their fears in this unfamiliar world of mask and distance rules.
If the petition of a primary and middle school principal on the Internet, which has already been signed by almost 1700 people, has so far been completely ignored by the Ministry of Education and by the vast majority of members of the Education Committee in the Bavarian state parliament, that unfortunately fits into the picture. Because politics leaves the headmasters out in the rain, it would not be so difficult to support them in their need: simply increasing the number of staff in the rectorates and secretariats would ensure that the bosses could do a lot of the work.
But even more important – especially as long as the pandemic lasts – would be clearer communication between the ministry and headmasters, who keep complaining about only receiving instructions that they have to implement, but are not asked whether these implementations are also practicable. Recent example: The requirement that only health authorities have to decide on the quarantine for classes – in the event that the authorities could be overwhelmed and the schools would have to wait too long for answers, there was no guideline.
While rectors and their deputies are often bullied in those areas in which they themselves have the highest level of competence through training and everyday experience, they are left criminally alone when it comes to dealing with virological issues.