What does the return to school during COVID-19 look like for pupils, students, and parents in the 2021-2022 school year? Education in Romania and abroad has adapted to the challenges of the previous year, and the decrease in the number of new coronavirus infections has put the option of physically returning to classrooms back on the global map. 

However, the 2021-2022 school year brings its own challenges. 

The Delta variant (which is becoming globally dominant) spreads faster, especially among the unvaccinated population, causing more severe forms of the disease. In the case of children and adolescents, vaccination rates remain low compared to the adult population, so protecting these two categories may be the main challenge for this school year. 

For example, in the U.S., 22% of COVID-19 cases reported in the third week of August 2021 were recorded in children, an increase from the 14% measured since the start of the pandemic. 

Another challenge of school during the coronavirus is the effective management of educational gaps resulting from online schooling in our country. Additionally, there is a risk that the school dropout rate will increase significantly, according to the World Vision Romania report. 

How are European countries preparing for the start of school in the context of the COVID-19 Delta variant?

After several months of relaxing COVID-19 restrictions worldwide, European countries are beginning to rethink the options available for reducing the spread of the virus.

This comes in the context of a new increase in the number of infections. The situation is all the more problematic as the Delta variant of the virus is more widespread among children and adolescents (a population with low vaccination rates), and the 2021-2022 school year has already started in some countries. 

The online education option is also being questioned, as it is associated with learning delays and increased inequality among vulnerable children. In addition, the lack of face-to-face interaction and socialization has also affected children’s mental and emotional health.   

Thus, European educational institutions are collaborating with governments to find solutions that protect children from both COVID-19 infection and the unwanted effects of online education. 

 

Rules for starting school during COVID-19 in European states

In Germany, children are expected to attend face-to-face classes, but subject to conditions such as: 

  • regular testing with antigen tests
  • wearing protective masks indoors
  • continuous ventilation of classrooms

In the UK, schoolchildren are encouraged to test regularly for coronavirus, maintain physical distancing, and wear protective masks. Efforts are also being made to introduce air purification systems as a protective measure during the cold months. 

France imposes measures in accordance with the COVID-19 infection level of the population in the region where the educational unit is located. These measures include:

  • wearing a protective mask indoors and social distancing
  • reducing capacity by up to 50% for educational units in the red scenario

One of the most affected countries in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy conditions participation in classes for students and teachers on obtaining the green certificate. Unvaccinated staff can enter educational institutions, but are required to take COVID tests every 2 days at their own expense. 

How is Romania preparing for the start of school in the context of the COVID-19 Delta variant?

Following the consultation between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, it has been established that in Romania schools will remain open for in-person learning until an incidence of 6 per thousand is reached in the region where the educational unit is located. 

If this threshold is exceeded, only nurseries, kindergartens, and special education units will continue to operate in person, with the rest of the units moving to the online system. 

Also, the required measures are:

  • correct wearing of the protective mask indoors
  • ventilation of all enclosed spaces. 

It is also specified that non-compliant devices, such as plastic protective masks, are prohibited. 

 

Romanian parents’ concerns regarding school during COVID-19

We, at MKOR, have drawn attention since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the concerns parents have regarding school in this context.

Thus, we conducted Back to School Post-COVID to find out exactly what these concerns are. The study was conducted among parents of children in pre-university education during July-August 2020.

The main reasons for parents’ concern in 2020 were related to:

  • children being affected due to the lack of socialization
  • prolonged time spent in front of the computer
  • poor quality of learning 

However, because schools will now return to the in-person education system, the health of the little ones is also added to the parents’ list of concerns. 

To address these aspects, the Ministry of Education will conduct information actions regarding disease prevention measures, as well as the benefits of vaccination where possible. 

Also, parents will receive a form to declare their intention to vaccinate their children, and if an educational unit receives 50-60 positive responses, mobile vaccination teams can be organized to meet this need. 

School during COVID-19: international organizations’ recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year

In the context of school reopenings, UNICEF has answered the most common questions regarding this aspect in a dedicated article.

The organization offers recommendations to parents regarding the most effective methods of protecting the health of the little ones:

  • Talk to your child about the most effective ways to protect themselves against COVID-19
  • Encourage them to embrace the experience of the new school year
  • Talk openly about what worries your child and find solutions together to make them feel comfortable and safe 

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