European Countries Gradually Reopen Elementary Schools... "Fewer Than 10 Students per Class"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As European countries are pushing for school reopening amid the easing of lockdown measures due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), France and the Netherlands have decided to begin phased reopening starting with elementary schools, following Denmark, which was the first among European countries to reopen schools. The plan is to reopen classes with fewer than 10 students per class to manage infection risks.

According to foreign media such as the UK Guardian, on the 21st (local time), the Netherlands and France announced they will reopen elementary schools next month, and Spain is also discussing detailed measures to allow outings for children under 14 starting next week. Earlier, Denmark eased lockdown measures and reopened daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools on the 15th.

Jean-Michel Blanquer, France’s Minister of Education, announced that starting from the day after the lockdown is lifted, on the 12th of next month, elementary school students aged 5 to 11 will be the first to return to school. Subsequently, some grades in middle and high schools will return to school in phases, with plans to reopen all schools by the 25th of next month. Minister Blanquer also stated that for the elementary schools reopening first, students will be organized in "small groups of fewer than 10 students."

Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, also announced that elementary schools will reopen on the 11th of next month. This decision was based on the infectious disease control institute’s assessment that the infection risk associated with reopening is at a "manageable" level. According to COVID-19 infection statistics, individuals under 20 years old account for 22% of the total population, but the infection rate among elementary school-aged children is less than 1%.

Like France, the Netherlands plans to keep the number of students attending school small. To this end, Prime Minister Rutte said, "For now, only half of the elementary school students will attend." One day, half of the class attends school, and the next day, the other half attends. Middle schools will reopen one month after elementary schools, and only if no infections occur during the trial period.

Spain announced that starting from the 27th, children under 14 will be allowed to go outside accompanied by one parent. Playing in parks or exercising is not allowed, but visits to supermarkets, banks, and pharmacies are permitted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.