site.btaEighty-two Per Cent of Teachers Want Classroom Learning, 13% Prefer Distance Learning - Survey

Sofia, August 25 (BTA) - According to a survey commissioned by
the Education Trade Union with the Podkrepa Confederation of
Trade Unions, 82 per cent of teachers want the new school year
to begin with traditional classroom learning, while 13 per cent
prefer to teach online (similarly to the period of the state of
emergency in Bulgaria).

Asked if they would agree to hybrid education (traditional
classroom learning combined with online classes), 6 per cent of
teachers gave an affirmative answer, while 55 per cent gave a
firm negative answer and 36 per cent said they would do it but
it would be very hard for them.
  
According to 81 per cent of respondents, parents should not be
allowed to choose distance learning for their children when
regular classes are being held, whereas 15 per cent of teachers
think parents should have the option to choose as it is
democratic.
   
Asked whether conducting traditional classroom learning as of
September 15 poses a health risk to teachers and pupils, 67 per
cent of respondents said there is some risk, 9 per cent a big
risk, and 23 per cent no risk.    
 
Asked to comment on the hypothesis that there are no additional
remunerations for teachers in order to provide funding for
coronavirus prevention and intervention activities, 89 per cent
of respondents said that they firmly disapprove and 9 per cent,
that they would donate their additional remunerations to this
end.
   
Asked to comment on some parents' proposal for teachers to teach
 a lesson once in the classroom and a second time online, 85 per
 cent of respondents said they are ready to protest with legal
means, while 12 per cent would agree to such additional work
without pay to provide their pupils with distance learning.

Fifty-eight per cent of teachers disagree and 41 per cent agree
with the idea to teach in class with a camera in the classroom
for distance learning pupils  to be able to see and hear them.

The Education Trade Union is of the position that the 2020/21
school year should begin with traditional classroom learning but
 with stricter safety measures. The framework of rules to this
end being elaborated by the Education and Science Ministry is
almost ready, and each school is already working on contingency
plans in case of an infected pupil or teacher. Once the school
year begins, the dynamics of the new environment and the
feelings of safety and danger will influence the decisions, the
trade union says.

NV/DS