How does the government reflect back on a year of crisis? Claude Meisch, Minister of Education, sat down with our colleagues from 5minutes to take stock of the drop in schooling levels, the pandemic and vaccinations.

In Luxembourg, while all ministries are impacted by the health crisis, some are clearly more at the forefront of the battle than others. The Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, in particular, has had to deal with the health and future of the country's children.

However, some 10 months after the first coronavirus case in Luxembourg, coming up with the right balance and policies for the school environment remains a challenge: "It's a peculiarity of this crisis: we're never at ease," Claude Meisch says, while noting that "nobody had any experience" in facing such an unprecedented crisis.

The phenomenon of digitalisation "has completely accelerated", Meisch notes, who is also planning to perpetuate these digital means (tablets, computers, but also distance learning, etc.), even if they will never be able to ensure "the same quality of learning as face-to-face learning".

Moreover, Meisch shares "the fear that we have not really been able to guarantee the same level of learning". While many young people have proven their ability to adapt, others are still suffering. "They need our help, too".

Refutes lack of communication

RTL

"Il n'y a pas eu une seule décision pour laquelle je n'ai pas consulté soit les représentants des élèves, des parents, ou des enseignants" souligne le ministre. / © RTL

The minister also wishes to respond to those who have criticised him for a lack of communication during the crisis period. While he understands that some people have different expectations, he insists that "there has not been a single decision for which I did not consult either student, parent or teacher representatives."

"Decisions had to be taken", often imposed by Covid-19, he says.

The picture is far from bleak, because "I have the impression that in Luxembourg, fewer schools have been closed" than in other countries. "I'm very proud that we insisted on keeping schools open," he adds.

On the topic of vaccinations: "There will be no compulsory vaccination in schools", although the minister hopes that teachers will take part in getting the vaccine because of their close proximity to children.

He has a wish that many will share for next year. That the virus will soon be nothing but a bad memory and that 2021 will mean a "return to a certain normality".

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Video in French