«It's uncertain what will happen after the holidays»

Before Christmas, for example, schools in the cantons of Bern and Aargau closed early. How do you rate these first school closures?

It was presumably an attempt to ease the current tense situation in schools; not only the epidemiological situation, but also the situation on site. In some cases, it is no longer possible to find substitutes to fill in when teachers are absent. Teachers are trying to fill the gaps where they can in addition to their own workload. Pupils are also in quarantine or even isolation by the dozen, and classes are rarely or never complete. Giving effective lessons and keeping track of the children's learning progress is very exhausting. Of course, these last-minute decisions are also very challenging for working parents.

What are the possible scenarios for pupils in the new year: extending the obligation to wear masks, distance learning for certain levels or even large-scale school closures?

I am still of the opinion that school closures should be a last resort. In schools where repetitive series of tests are carried out, the situation is well under control, provided as many pupils as possible take part in these tests and the test centres have been given sufficient resources. But this alone is not enough. Various measures will probably also be needed in the new year to maximise their impact. It would be helpful for everyone if it were already clear before the Christmas holidays how things will continue after the holidays.

That would indeed be desirable. Many parents are wondering how lessons will start after the holidays, especially in the cantons that start in the first week of January. Can you venture a forecast here? What are the chances that the holidays will be extended or that distance learning will start?

It can be assumed that this will also be handled very differently. Some may start later, others will stick to the official school start date and possibly react later. I honestly don't know.

In the canton of Bern, many teachers and parents regret the discontinuation of the pool tests; in Zurich, certain schools can no longer keep up with testing and the results arrive three days after testing. In the canton of Lucerne, first-graders are already wearing masks. What do you think of this «patchwork» of measures? In your opinion, what would be the right way for schools to get through this coronavirus winter?

The LCH has long been calling for more standardised and, if possible, nationally coordinated measures such as repetitive testing, masks, CO2 measuring devices and air purification filters in classrooms where this makes epidemiological sense and is not yet available. Unfortunately, the cantons have still not been able to bring themselves to pursue a common strategy, even though the federal government has given them several impulses to do so.

Is there a lack of a «school lobby» or what does it take for us to arrive at these standardised rules?

In all cantons, the cantonal teachers' associations are in close contact with the education authorities. The LCH endeavours to exert influence at national level. However, decisions are ultimately made at education and health policy level in collaboration with the cantonal doctors. The fact that the cantons do not want to liaise better with each other in this area is probably simply not something that can be changed.

The demands and uncertainties placed on teachers are increasing in equal measure: How are the teachers doing?

The constant back and forth, repeated last-minute arrangements and changes gnaw away at their energy reserves. At the same time, they are committed to the well-being of their pupils to the best of their knowledge and belief. It is extremely important for children and young people to feel comfortable and safe at school. This is what teachers strive for in their daily work - even in this very special current situation.