«I would have liked more coordination from the federal government»
How do you personally feel as a father of three school-age children and as Switzerland's headmaster?
As a father, I'm doing very well, I'm in a privileged position and my children are very independent. At the moment they have to organise themselves to some extent - of course there are sometimes arguments, but they make the current situation easy for my wife and me. I'm also doing well as head of school, I have good support from the management and the cantonal boards. I'm satisfied, but also a little tired. The last few weeks have been intense.
The Federal Council has decided that lessons in primary and secondary schools may take place on site again from 11 May. What do you think of this decision?
We very much welcome the decision. The assessment of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is reasonable. Our teachers are delighted that the pupils are coming back to school. They miss the children.
Where do you see opportunities, where dangers?
The opportunity is analogue teaching. Even though I am personally very digital, face-to-face teaching is crucial at primary level. I see vulnerable people as a danger - we have to think about how we want to deal with this.
What other protection concepts do you recommend?
Wash hands, sanitise hands and refrain from shaking hands. Social distancing between teachers is also important.
Has the Federal Council's decision now clarified everything or is the work in the individual cantons only just beginning in terms of drawing up special protection concepts?
Not everything has been clarified. With regard to the protection concepts, you have to decide individually and locally, because every school is different. What I find special is that each canton makes its own rules with regard to face-to-face teaching. There will be cantons that teach in half classes, for example. The cantons in French-speaking Switzerland could delay the opening of schools as they are more affected by the pandemic than we are in German-speaking Switzerland. I fully understand that. In general, however, I would have liked to see more coordination and standardisation from the federal government.
What do you recommend to parents who do not want to send their children to school because they are worried about infection?
As we know, children are rarely affected by corona. If a child does not have a medical problem or lives in a household with an infected person, they must attend school. School attendance is compulsory and there are rules that must be followed. I trust the FOPH and its recommendations.
The same issue applies to teachers who are afraid of catching the virus in the classroom or in the classroom.
If a teacher belongs to the risk group or has relatives who are particularly at risk, they should of course stay at home. However, lessons can still take place in the form of reverse distance learning. For example, the class can be taught in the classroom and supervised by carers while the teacher conducts distance learning via a communication platform.
Are schools prepared for a possible second wave?
No, not yet, but that's what we have to do now. We have to think about measures, but I wouldn't want to put them in place without medical advice from the cantonal medical service.
Matura: Each canton can decide for itself whether or not there should be a written exam. What do you think?
This topic is not part of our association, but I have a personal opinion on it. I find it very confusing that each canton decides for itself and that there are sometimes individual curricula for each school. After all, it's called the federal baccalaureate.
What are your personal learnings from the crisis?
Firstly, I realised that it is important to radiate confidence in my position. I have received a lot of positive feedback. You have to believe that things will turn out well. Secondly, learning in the digital field: we have learnt more in the last six weeks than in the last six months. I found the general solidarity touching.
Read more about the corona crisis:
- «Combination of face-to-face and digital teaching would be the ideal form of learning»
What impact is the coronavirus crisis having on the digitalisation of schools? What will change when all pupils go back to school regularly? Digital expert Philippe Wampfler talks about distance learning and what children, parents and teachers can expect after the restrictions. - «Corona is forcing us into digital training at breakneck speed»
The nationwide closure of public schools poses new challenges for parents and teachers alike. German education expert Armin Himmelrath also sees this as an opportunity: getting digitally fit at record speed.
- The best online tips against the corona pandemic
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