Teacher Esken advocates for abandoning the classroom without adequate testing conditions in place
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Saskia Esken, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), has advocated for stringent measures to ensure infection protection in schools. A photograph of Saskia Esken, taken by dpa, captures her steadfast determination in this matter.
Esken believes that regular testing is crucial, in addition to distance, masks, and fresh air, for effective infection protection in schools. She has expressed her concerns about the current aggressive virus variant, which she believes is particularly aggressive among children.
In light of these concerns, Esken has called for a halt to in-person classes at schools until sufficient testing capacities are available. She insists that without testing, participation in in-person classes should not be permitted. Her stance is based on the need for regular testing to mitigate the spread of the virus among children.
Addressing the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and the heads of the federal and state governments, Esken suggests that in-person classes should only be allowed again if testing can be carried out at least twice a week on site. This, she believes, is essential to ensure the safety of children in schools during these challenging times.
While educational testing standards like VERA are established and standardized across German schools, there is no detailed recent information available about health-related testing requirements or infection control measures, specifically those championed by Esken. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 related testing policies in schools or specific demands by SPD leaders on infection protection, consulting official German federal or regional health and education ministry sources or news updates would be necessary.
[1] For more information on the VERA educational testing standards, please refer to this link.
- Saskia Esken, the SPD leader, has advocated for testing in schools, along with other measures, as part of her strong stance on policy-and-legislation related to COVID-19, particularly in the context of education.
- In her call for regular testing in schools, Esken insists that it is crucial for general-news reporting to include updates on health-related testing requirements and infection control measures, as this information is essential for understanding her advocacy in the realm of politics.
