Sweden: an almost normal return to school in schools

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High school students and students had all switched to distance education last March because they are more sensitive to the covid pandemic, but for this new school year, it is recommended to reduce the number of high school students in institutions by 20%. Jessica GOW / AFP

By: Frédéric Faux

While the French students are returning to their classroom on Tuesday, it has been two weeks since the start of the school year in Sweden. The country had already distinguished itself at the start of the coronavirus epidemic by choosing not to confine its population, by leaving its schools open, and by closing only high schools and universities. Today, the whole school system is reopening, without the wearing of a mask being recommended, but with other measures adopted by each establishment.

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In the courtyard of the Stockholm International School, no mask in sight. But this is the case throughout the country: wearing a mask is not recommended, but not prohibited either, as Karin Henrekson, the principal, explains: " If a student arrives with a mask, we have 2 or more. 3 for the whole establishment is ok. And if a teacher wants to wear a mask - no one does - that's okay too. The city of Stockholm does not impose rules, it recommends, only, to maintain the distances between us… and the Swedes are good for that. "

Sweden has indeed been able to stay on the same line, as Anders Tegnell, the chief epidemiologist, welcomes: “ Unlike other countries, Sweden has not changed its recommendations. We are not using the mask, and the schools are operating as usual. "

We therefore keep these distances as long as we can, we wash our hands frequently, the canteen hours have been adjusted, as before the holidays. But where things really changed was in high school. High school and college students had all switched to distance education in March because they are more susceptible to the coronavirus than children, and they use public transport in large numbers. Today they are back, however with some constraints:
“ The city has recommended reducing the number of high school students present by 20%. So decided to spend some classes every other week in distance education. We also mentioned the possibility of arriving earlier, of leaving later, but that would have disrupted our schedules too much. Maybe other schools have done it differently. "

This is the case, for example, in the city of Gothenburg, where no course starts before 9 a.m., so as not to clutter up transport. At the Stockholm International School, Helen, a science teacher, is alone in her classroom, but in front of her computer screen: " I'll meet you in a minute Ivan, I'll be back ... Just now I have a lesson remotely with my second year, and in half an hour I will be running up the stairs to physically join my first year students. "

Lärareforebunet, the main teachers' union, supports the government's line for now, although it remains vigilant. Emma Ölmebäck is one of its representatives: “ Teachers are worried about the overload of work brought about by the epidemic, with the replacement of absent colleagues, distance education, and all at the same time. "

The Swedish teachers, on the other hand, do not ask for the wearing of masks or for the doubling of classes. According to their own studies, in fact, the rate of contamination of Swedish teachers is similar to that of the rest of the population.

International report - Sweden: back to school almost normal in schools

Sweden: an almost normal return to school in schools

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