If it goes after the conference of ministers of education, schools should go back to regular operations after the summer vacation.

"Our wish is: The school year should start with as much normality as possible," said the President of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) and Brandenburg Education Minister Britta Ernst (SPD) at a press conference on Friday.

That means "that we are assuming regular face-to-face teaching in all subjects and all age groups".

The KMK made a corresponding decision on Thursday.

Tobias Schrörs

Political Editor.

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    Pupils and teachers looked back on many months with restricted school operations and “greatly reduced social contacts” and during this time they “achieved great things”, it says. The ministers of culture emphasize the positive development of the infection process and the vaccination campaign. They also point out that, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), children and adolescents are "not a driving force in the current situation".

    At the same time, Ernst pointed out on Friday that regular operations were not tied to specific vaccination quotas. All teachers had the opportunity to get vaccinated. With regard to the question of vaccinating children, she referred to the responsibility of parents and the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO). The STIKO decided on Thursday to recommend vaccination of children and adolescents only with certain pre-existing illnesses or other risk factors. However, vaccinations from the age of twelve are possible for everyone on request and after medical advice.

    When it comes to the question of whether masks should still be worn in the classrooms after the holidays, the KMK remains vague. With regard to hygiene measures, the resolution states, among other things, that regular operation should take place “taking into account the infection protection and hygiene measures that apply depending on the infection process”. Mask requirement and test strategies as well as consistent ventilation “should also be considered in the new school year, taking into account the infection rate”.

    Hamburg's Senator for Education, Ties Rabe, asked for understanding that there could be no uniform guideline for Germany, that depends on the development of the pandemic in the individual countries. But one can see that “the mask is where the biggest discussions take place”. When testing in schools, there is more of a consensus. Compulsory attendance is closely related to the compulsory test for students. Rabe pointed out that in most countries this would be lifted if parents did not have their children tested. In Hamburg, for example, there is only “very, very little test refusal”.

    The Hessian minister of education Alexander Lorz (CDU) said that the school should be resumed according to the will of the KMK with all aspects; this expressly also applies to school trips, excursions and funding opportunities. In addition, the KMK points out the situation of the graduating classes. The aim is to enable the framework conditions for “fair deals” through support measures.