Ministry of Health agrees schools should be allowed to pick teaching method during pandemic

The Ministry of Health agrees that the issue of distance or normal teaching during Covid-19 pandemic should be left in the hands of each school and class, said minister Daniels Pavļuts in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
He said the biggest conceptual decision in regards to school was made in August 2021, when it was decided schools should teach normally whenever possible. However, if it is necessary to make a decision in regards to Covid-19 restrictions, this should be done locally, in a specific school, in a specific class.
«The Ministry of Health agrees that generally the situation should be resolved based on the situation in a specific school or class. Situations vary from school to school and region to region,» said the politician.
Pavļuts also said that on 24 January the Operational Management Group may review the proposals from the Ministry of Education and Science in regards to regulations that cover the organisation of the teaching process.
As previously reported, Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece is not prepared to discuss the topic of transition of distance teaching in all schools.
In an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds, the politician said many children were forced to transition to distance learning because of Covid-19. On top of that, the epidemiological situation continues getting worse. Nevertheless, she is not prepared to consider imposing distance teaching for all schools, because the situation differs widely in different regions around the country.
She said schools already employ numerous epidemiological precautions to reduce the spread of Covid-19. This includes regular testing and use of masks.
At the same time, Muižniece told the media that once the next procurement of medical masks is over, the masks will be delivered to students and teachers.
The minister reminded that distance teaching means increased pressure for parents of the youngest students.
There are no plans to extend the school year even though the autumn school break was a week longer than usual.