In the letter published on Thursday, lawyer Jean-Marie Bauler addressed Meisch in the name of 120 teachers and educators, allegedly supported by “many parents”.
The signatories, who wish to remain anonymous, claim to be worried by health measures in schools and do not agree with the mask mandate for students in class. They question the efficacy of the maks and refer to what they see as the negative health and psychological consequences of wearing a mask.
Despite the teachers’ arguments, face masks have been a key tool in the battle against coronavirus. Although governments were initially hesitant to introduce mandatory mask-wearing, the measure has since been used across the world and has been proven to reduce infection.
The teachers’ letter also questions the severity and mortality of the coronavirus, claiming that the health risks are no worse than those of the seasonal flu. This has been disproven by a number of scientific studies; the sources cited by the letter are highly dubious and include websites that are publishing verifiably false information.
The anonymous signatories say they will no longer force students to wear a mask and demand that the mask mandate in schools be abolished altogether.
In response, Lex Folscheid from the Ministry of Education said that the letter rather took them by surprise, as the wearing of masks in schools is no longer a big point of discussion.
Folscheid argued that there is broad acceptance from pupils, teachers, assistants and support staff alike.
This view was echoed by Patrick Arendt of SEW, who said that the letter does not represent the views of the majority of teachers – quite the contrary.
The SNE/CFGP unions emphasised that the authors are experts in teaching, not medical sciences, and that in this instance we should place faith in the relevant experts.
Folscheid further noted that it is difficult to discuss the matter when the identities of those behind the letter remain unknown. The ministry will however seek to sound out where people in education stand on the question of masks, as it is important to know whether their stance also affects their view on masks at work.
If it becomes known who is behind the letter, the ministry would also like to hold a constructive dialogue on the subject.
The teachers’ letter has meanwhile attracted a storm of criticism online.
A number of teachers on Friday morning took to social media to criticise the open letter, with one writing “I am ... not one of those 120".
Marcel Kramer, headmaster of the Lycée Classique Diekirch, wrote: ‘120 teachers and educators sign a letter with such an obviously false statement (and a bunch of other stupidities). This is sad and frankly hard to understand.’
The letter can be read in full in this blog (in German).
