Croatian Teachers Union reacts to decision to continue classes in lower grades on May 11th

The Croatian Teachers Union responded to the announcement of classes beginning on May 11th for lower grades in elementary schools. They say the decision was made by shifting responsibility, noting that many schools do not have hot water or sufficient technical support staff to disinfect facilities. They ask what the purpose was of such a decision that can have dangerous consequences.

The entire statement:

“Dear Sirs/Madams, in regard to the news of opening of schools on May 11th, 2020, we consider it necessary to point out the many illogical factors, dangers and potential threats of such a hasty, reckless and very harmful announcement.

From the contradiction that up to 10 people will be allowed to gather from May 11, 2020, while at the same time the number of students in a class may be almost three times higher, to the very fact that it is physically and technically impossible to be in two places at the same time, that is, to in parallel run classes online and in class with students and not know what to do with high-risk employees, this hasty announcement shows how well the Ministry of Science and Education does not know the functioning of the teaching process and the material conditions in which schools operate. But it does prove how adept it is at shifting responsibility, how arrogantly it ignores professional experts and parents, as well as obvious, long-accumulated, problems in the system that have been pushed under the rug for years.

Speaking in support of these facts, was yesterday's statement by the minister of education saying that classroom teachers would no longer work overtime in such conditions. Because, says the minister, "distance teaching is not performed by the classroom teacher, distance teaching is done by someone else ..." This must refer to some clones of classroom teachers ...  Does the minister know that classroom teachers in distance learning, are achieving the outcomes planned with the implementation of their curricula, their annual implementation plans and programs? In a different order and pace adapted to their students?! Does the Minister know that the TV teacher Đurđa cannot cover all these specifics and differences?! Then how will classroom teachers not work double?! To plan and carry out teaching activities for students who come to schools, to do all the administrative tasks that accompany the daily work in class, to review homework ... Then to inform herself on what the virtual teacher did with her students, while ignoring if this is inconsistent with what the rest of the class did at school (because, obviously, it doesn't matter if those students listened to something they already did with their actual teacher or didn't listen to what the rest of the class did at school!), check what they got for homework, review it, to formatively and comprehensively monitor their progress ... Or will this clone teacher do it all (or maybe teacher Đurđa)?!

Does the Minister know that there is no TV teacher/Lehrer Đurđa for foreign languages?! Foreign language teaching is not covered by TV school at all!

Who, by what guidance, will prevent our youngest students from social contact with peers and teachers? Has anyone considered how “natural” such a ban is to children of that age, how insisting on such behaviour in a large group of children can be detrimental to these same children, with long-term consequences?!

If to all of this we add the strong earthquake that struck the city of Zagreb, Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje Counties, as well as the fact that no instructions were given on how to handle schools in the event of new earthquakes, and the fact that even schools with “green labels” had significant damage to walls currently only being repaired by school custodians and cleaners, the fact that no remediation teams have been sent to schools to check on the safety of these buildings, because, according to information from the terrain, they are also not in good enough condition to hold classes in.

If we add to all this the number of schools that do not have hot water, that do not have a sufficient number of support and technical staff for daily disinfection of facilities (there was not enough even under normal conditions!), then the question really arises: What is the purpose of such a decision?!

It remains to be seen whether, within this time, by May 11th, the profession, parents and numerous experts will still be listened to, and implementation of this decision be postponed until the time and conditions have been met when students and employees of school facilities can safely return to schools without risk.

In the contrary consequences can be very dangerous. Everything is replaceable except for human lives! And the responsibility for every, life lost by reckless decisions, is a burden that no one should take!”

Source: HRT