site.btaEducation Minister: Schools Will Implement Compulsory and Optional Safety Measures During New School Year

August 21 (BTA) - During the new school year schools will implement both compulsory and optional anti-epidemic measures, said Education Miister Krasimir Valchev on Friday.

Compulsory anti-epidemic measures will include disinfection, wearing of personal protection equipment, handwashing and providing hot water and soap in every school. Optional measures will relate to separation of classes where possible so that only classes with sick childen should switch to distance learning. This stragegy will be implemented in a different way by the different schools. Toilets, canteens and hallways are the critical zones in a school.

Students will have to wear a face mask in all indoor spaces with the exception of classrooms and gyms. Schools will keep reserves of spare face masks.

Primary school teachers who teach a single class won't have to wear a face mask but
teachers who work with several classes will wear face shields.

Everyday pupils will be instructed about safety measures. There won't be a compulsory thermal screening at school entrances but there will be a medical screening before school begns. COVID-19 tests are expected to be free for teachers and students.

Of parents demands for telelearning during the new school year Minister Valchev said
that at issue is where this should be only for medical reasons. This year children with special education needs will have more options if they have to miss school due to medical reasons or medical reasons associated with their parents. A list of health conditions will be drawn up to facilitate the switch to distance learning or other educational forms.

One of the options is for the student to attend daily classes by a virtual connection to the real life classtoom. The Minister said that education through such schemes will be allowed for medical reasons and not based on personal fears. RI/PP

/СН/