Learning in a state of emergency

Around one million children in Switzerland are currently absent from school. Parents are juggling work and schooling their children at home with their own jobs. What does everyday school life look like without school? How can and should parents support their children at school? Do homework and exams even exist ? Ten answers to the ten most pressing questions.

What is the current situation at schools?

We are currently in the first phase of implementing the Federal Council's ordinance, according to which compulsory schooling is temporarily suspended, i.e. there are no lessons. This phase lasted until 17 March 2020, according to Alex Hürzeler, Director of Education of the Canton of Aargau. Schools are now obliged to set up a childcare programme for children who cannot be looked after at home. This is intended for pupils whose parents are unable to look after them at home, for example because they work in healthcare, logistics or primary care and are therefore unable to look after their children or would have to pass them on to a person from a risk group. The programme may only be attended by healthy children and young people. Their parents are still obliged to inform the school of their child's attendance or absence. The school communicates the relevant conditions to the parents.

When does distance learning start?

In a second phase, schools and teachers can provide children and young people with work materials and assignments from now until the spring holidays, provided they have the appropriate facilities and staff resources. The tasks and assignments are intended to practise and consolidate previous school material. However, there is still no systematic teaching according to the curriculum. Alex Hürzeler also emphasises: «No exams will be written or grades awarded». The third phase will begin at the end of April if the ban on face-to-face teaching has to be extended beyond the spring holidays, according to the canton of Aargau. Lessons would then resume according to the curriculum, in the form of «distance learning». The corresponding framework conditions are still being finalised, as are the implementation guidelines. These will also include answers to questions about promotion, transfer to upper secondary school or secondary schools.

What does distance learning in kindergarten involve?

While pupils can work more independently in cycle 2 (3rd - 6th grade), special tasks are needed in cycle 1 (kindergarten + 1st - 2nd grade), says Jörg Berger, headmaster in the canton of Zurich and member of the executive board of the Swiss-German Association of Headmasters and Headmistresses VSLCH. He suggests, for example:

  • Einrichten und Betreiben einer Ludothek; 2-mal pro Woche können (Lern-)Spiele im Kindergarten und in der Schule ausgeliehen werden.
  • Das lässt sich auch gleich für textiles und technisches Gestalten, Handarbeit, einrichten.
  • Bewegungsaufgaben, von Spielen und Übungen mit Körperkontakt ist abzusehen.
  • Leseaufgaben
  • Podcasts und Videos erstellen, in denen Geschichten erzählt werden, zu denen die Kinder Zeichnungen oder Kurzberichte kreieren.
  • Bastelanleitungen
  • Lieder
  • Verse 

How are tasks transmitted digitally?

At the moment, schools are still in the process of setting themselves up - organising the support services and providing the materials. This means that learners are given less homework and much more work materials. The form this takes varies greatly depending on the age group and school. Some classes work via WhatsApp - the teacher sends materials to the parents or directly to the children, if this has been authorised. Others provide materials and tasks via an app, for example Microsoft Teams, Sofatutor or Centerboard's school network. Others are sent by email, depending on the age group, via the parents, who then have to print out the worksheets. Materials are also sent by post - because not all children have their own mobile phone or access to their own computer or that of their parents.

What is the procedure in the higher school levels?

Teaching and learning continues digitally at post-compulsory schools such as cantonal schools, vocational schools, higher technical colleges and universities of applied sciences. The paperless school has long been established there. Students receive assignments from their teachers or lecturers via electronic platforms. Teachers are still available to their employers. At upper secondary level, especially at grammar school, assignments and material are distributed directly via the school network. Individual and group skyping is used and clear deadlines are set for the completion and submission of assignments.

How does digital school work for younger children?

Younger children cannot organise themselves as independently as older pupils in cycle 3 (secondary level). They need structure. This is why digital teaching materials can only be used to a limited extent. Parents should not leave children to use tools and apps all by themselves and should limit their use in terms of time, says Jürg Berger, member of the executive board of the Swiss-German Association of School Principals VSLCH.

How quickly can the material be taught in distance learning?

According to Jürg Berger, almost twice as much time is needed to complete work assignments at home than at school. «Clear instructions are needed and expectations must be defined,» says the teacher. For example: create a 2-minute audio recording using a checklist. In addition, online and offline sequences should alternate and it must be ensured that all students are regularly asked for feedback and are thus in dialogue with their teacher, says Berger. He emphasises that empathetic behaviour on the part of teachers is particularly important.

What if foreign-language parents or parents who have to work and/or look after younger children at the same time cannot fully take care of homeschooling?

Switzerland's top school headmaster, Thomas Minder, calls for relaxation. In an interview with srf.ch, he explains: «Teachers don't just give an assignment like this: «Now learn about Pythagoras». In the first phase, teachers certainly give simple assignments on content and subject areas that have already been introduced. However, if this takes longer and you also have to give instructions via the internet, then we have to come up with something.» What exactly Thomas Minder means by this remains to be seen.

Is it even possible to teach the entire school curriculum in this time?

Experts reckon that no more than ten per cent of the school curriculum can be taught in the coming weeks. This is why work assignments are primarily given, which the pupils spend two to three hours on every day," explains a head teacher from the canton of Zurich. «The aim is to repeat and consolidate what they have learnt so far. We can't expect children of this age to learn new material.»

How long will the schools remain closed?

In all Swiss cantons, schools will remain closed until 19 April for the time being. This means that schools in the canton of Aargau, for example, will remain closed from Monday, 16 March 2020 until the end of the spring holidays. School operations are expected to resume after the end of the holidays on Monday, 20 April 2020, if the situation allows, according to reports. However, parents must assume that schools will remain closed for longer.

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