Schools, creches and nurseries are due to close on Monday 16 March until Friday 27 March in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Claude Meisch explained the Ministry's goal is to ensure pupils across the country will have access to standard levels of education despite the upheaval to their usual routine.
Schools have remained open on Friday 13 March in order to allow teaching staff and students to prepare for the next fortnight, checking communication networks and ensuring pupils have adequate access to online resources. Meisch underlined the closures were not a strict quarantine as such, but pupils and their families were encouraged to avoid crowded places, music lessons, youth clubs and other gatherings, and to observe health guidelines.
Meisch revealed he had told his own children that the two week closure was not a holiday, but to be treated as a form of home schooling, to provide continuity and support for all pupils. This was his primary message for all students.
There will be a focus on e-learning, with resources to support parents and students alike, while pupils are encouraged to make use of school libraries prior to the closure.
Primary school pupils will be given a two-week schedule with topics to cover, as well as ideas for revising subjects they struggle with. Secondary school pupils will be encouraged to do more autonomous learning, but will also have access to resources online. Meisch expects there to be sufficient contact between educators and pupils, with regular newsletters planned for teaching staff and parents to help facilitate the process.
SEN pupils will follow a similar plan and will receive same support as other pupils, while parents will receive support, ideas and material to guide their child's learning at home.
The Easter holidays will take place as planned.
In terms of examinations, exams for the week of 16 March will be moved to 30 March, while those for the week of 23 March will be pushed back to 4 April. Primary school examinations for sixth years will be moved to 20 April, from 30 March.
Final exams for students leaving secondary education are due to take place in May. However, the Ministry is looking at several options in order to give all students a fair chance. Meisch explained he would be discussing the situation with his European counterparts in Brussels, as university application deadlines may be affected. The Ministry is also looking at adapting the number of questions in exams to offer a broad range of topics.
The University of Luxembourg will also close for two weeks, including the university library. Lectures will be replaced with online learning.
As children under 13 cannot be left at home alone during these two weeks, parents required to take care of their children will be granted additional leave. The forms to apply for this parental leave will be available on the National Health Fund website from Friday and are to be completed in the same manner as sickness leave, and sent to the CNS and employer.
The authorities have appealed to parents to exercise caution when deciding who will stay at home, for example allowing those who work in the health sector to continue working. Meisch also advised not leaving children with grandparents where possible in order to protect the vulnerable members of society.
The government is holding discussions with neighbouring countries to discuss effects on students from the border regions.
Meisch said the Ministry was preparing for future measures if needed, but was optimistic that the two week closure would be sufficient.
