As schools around the world begin to reopen, it’s crucial to analyze their experiences and the lessons they offer. The abrupt shift from in-person education to remote learning happened almost instantaneously. One day, schools were welcoming students, and the next, they were shut down—initially for two weeks, then extended indefinitely, ultimately closing for the entire academic year.
When schools do reopen, it won’t be an overnight process. It’s essential that we proceed with caution. Current data from various countries suggests that the return to classroom settings will be gradual, potentially fraught with challenges, and, most importantly, may not be as straightforward or safe as many would hope.
Global Approaches to Reopening Schools
Countries worldwide are facing the challenge of how to resume educational operations while ensuring the safety of students and teachers. The strategies employed differ significantly. For instance, in China, the first nation to close schools to curb COVID-19, students must wear masks and adhere to strict social distancing protocols. One innovative measure included children wearing oversized hats designed to maintain distance, helping them adjust to social distancing norms.
Germany has taken a decentralized approach, allowing states to formulate their own reopening strategies. Some states mandate mask-wearing, while others do not, and many are limiting class sizes and implementing one-way hallways. In a notable initiative, a town is offering students COVID-19 tests every four days, allowing those who test negative to move around the school without masks.
In cities like Sydney, Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan, schools are adopting a phased reopening model, staggering student attendance in classrooms.
Evaluating the Outcomes
Determining the effectiveness of these strategies is complex, as the situation remains fluid and evolving. For example, shortly after one-third of French children returned to school, 70 COVID-19 cases connected to schools were reported. While the schools were shut down immediately, officials indicated that these cases likely originated before students returned to campus. France’s education minister acknowledged that an increase in cases was “inevitable” but emphasized that the risks of keeping children at home may outweigh the risks of sending them back to school given the lifted lockdown.
In Israel, a teacher who interacted with numerous students tested positive for the virus, leading to a two-week closure of the school. Another incident involved an assistant in a different school testing positive, prompting quarantines for several students and a teacher, yet the school’s operational status remains unclear.
Germany has also seen its reproduction number—the metric measuring how many individuals each infected person will likely infect—rise above 1. However, officials are optimistic that this is just a temporary fluctuation.
Denmark, which was the first European nation to gradually reopen schools for younger students, has not experienced a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. This success can be attributed to strict health measures, including smaller class sizes and collaboration with health officials who provided clear guidelines. Blaženka Divjak, the Croatian education minister, cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, suggesting that it may still be too early to assess the overall impact.
Key Takeaways for the United States
What works for one country may not be effective in another context. However, there are valuable insights to be gained. The situation in France highlights the potential need for preemptive testing of students and staff before the school year begins. The localized outbreaks in Israel underscore the importance of being adaptable, ready to identify cases, trace contacts, require quarantines, and, when necessary, close schools temporarily.
While it may be unrealistic to implement testing every four days as seen in Germany, the importance of regular testing cannot be overstated. Furthermore, social distancing remains critical; measures such as Denmark’s small class sizes and China’s mask mandates should be taken into account.
The uncertainty surrounding the virus complicates our understanding of the best approach to reopening schools. Research from China suggests children may be less contagious than adults, possibly due to a lack of symptoms. However, other studies indicate that children are infected at rates similar to adults. Additionally, reopening schools involves the risk to staff members who may belong to vulnerable populations. The emergence of a concerning inflammatory illness in children adds another layer of complexity for parents.
Richard Pebody, a leader at the World Health Organization, advises a gradual approach to reopening schools, emphasizing the need for close monitoring of ongoing epidemiological data. Essentially, the process should be slow and deliberate, allowing us to learn from the experiences of other countries while prioritizing health and safety.
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In summary, as schools across the globe begin to reopen, it’s clear that a careful, well-informed approach is essential. By examining the varied experiences of other countries, we can adapt and find the best ways to ensure the safety and well-being of students and educators alike.