Schoolchildren returned to the benches, Čaputová drew attention to the climate and mental health – PRAVDA.sk

The gates of primary and secondary schools reopened on Thursday after two months, and the school year 2021/2022 began. This year they will be attended by 706,825 students. For the very first time, 65,622 children will sit in school desks, they are primary school freshmen. The situation from last year should not be repeated, schools will no longer be closed due to a pandemic.

TASR

02.09.2021 07:02, updated: 09:31

The children found a syllabary and crayons on the school desks.

It informed the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. 509,704 pupils will return to primary schools, including special schools. According to information from the Department of Communication and Marketing of the Ministry of Education, the increase in the total number of primary school pupils in comparison with the 2020/2021 school year is 23,425 pupils.

A total of 191,121 pupils will return to secondary schools, including special secondary schools. Among them are 42,105 freshmen. The decrease in the total number of secondary school pupils in comparison with the school year 2020/2021 represents 5,414 pupils.

Read more School traffic light – everything important about it

According to the Ministry of Education, the biggest change will occur in the new school year as part of the reform of the content of education, which will be ready at the end of the school year. “Its goal is to create a meaningful curriculum that builds on itself, to support modern teaching methods and to get, for example, critical thinking into teaching. With these changes, the schools will be assisted by 40 regional centers, where experienced teachers from practice will train other teachers and help them with the transition to a new teaching system, “explained the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic Branislav Gröhling (SaS). Also in the new school year, the Ministry of Education continues with the project of tutoring Together Wiser and allocates additional funds for it.

Schools will not close widely

Strict hygiene measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus will also mark the beginning of the school year. In the new school year, schools will not be closed in general, nor will a coronavirus test be required. In the case of a positive case, the regulations of the Public Health Office of the Slovak Republic will be followed. Schools will follow the so-called school traffic lights.

The Ministry of Education recommends minimizing class mixing, implementing a morning filter or ensuring regular disinfection of school premises. At the first entry into school and after each interruption of school attendance, which lasts for three or more consecutive days, the parent submits to the school a written declaration of the pupil’s asymptomaticness.

Nature and mental health

President Zuzana Čaputová opened a new school year at the Dubová Primary School in Bratislava. She challenged the children to think about saving the planet and their mental health.

The head of state believes that this school year will be better than previous ones. “We all want it to be more standard, so that children can really go to school, study and be in contact with their friends,” Čaputová remarked. She pointed out that the previous two years had been detrimental to education and had consequences in the field of mental health.

enlarge Photo: TASR

čaputová President Zuzana Čaputová during the opening of the new school year at the Dubová Primary School on September 2, 2021 in Bratislava.

Čaputová chose Dubová Elementary School in Bratislava for the opening of the school year because she deals with the topic of mental health. It has various programs to support children and to be able to help themselves or seek help from adults. “It’s an important topic, and I’m glad that schools are working on it,” she said.

In her speech, the President also pointed to climate change. “We all know that the latest reports issued by the UN say that the planet has a serious problem. Time is short and action is needed, “she said. She encouraged students to think about how they spend their natural resources and, for example, if they need another new plastic toy. She promised the children that she would try to do everything possible in the field of the environment from her position.

Children must also be provided with a spare drape

In addition to the veil they have on their faces, children need to be equipped with at least one other clean veil in a microtene bag. The drapes can be disposable or linen (ideally of cotton or densely woven fabric). The cloth drape should be washed or boiled and ironed on both sides with dry heat. He informed about it the Office of Public Health (ÚVZ) SR on the occasion of the beginning of the school year 2021/2022.

“Pack one of the clean microtene bags in the child’s school bag, in which he puts the damp drape in. After returning from school, the parent should throw the bag with disposable drapes in the trash as ordinary municipal waste, “said ÚVZ SR. The cloth drapes must be washed in the washing machine at least 60 degrees Celsius with commonly available detergents, or boiled and then ironed with dry heat.

Read more The school traffic light will not close the school

ÚVZ SR appeals to people to minimize contact with the veil during its wearing. If the drape is damp, dirty or damaged, it must be replaced with a new one. Disposable drapes are not intended for reuse. “We manipulate the face mask with rubber bands or strings. We do not remove the drape with its handle on the front, as it may be covered by pathogens. After removing the face mask, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water, or to disinfect them, “added from the ÚVZ SR.

Parents should explain the procedure for washing hands or proper handling of the veil to children of age in an appropriate manner. “Through appropriate communication, we will contribute to an easier understanding of the situation by children. The child will know how to protect his health and thus contribute to the protection of the health of his loved ones, which in the future will contribute to a responsible approach to their own health and the health of the population, “said Eva Chmelanová from ÚVZ SR.