From the CSIF union, the most representative union in public administrations, we demand the closure of educational centers and the suspension of classes throughout the country based on common and homogeneous criteria, as a preventive measure until the contagion curve is reduced, which has skyrocketed in this third wave of COVID-19.
The data from the Ministry of Health provided on the 15th indicate that the incidence of the virus is double that recorded on December 22nd, when the Christmas holidays began, and is approaching the worst figures of the pandemic. It should be remembered that in March of last year, the closure of educational centers was decided prior to the lockdown.
Therefore, along with the cold wave that a large part of the country is suffering and the difficulties in ventilating in the centers, and the uncertainty in the face of new detected strains of the coronavirus, it makes it very difficult to guarantee safe conditions for teachers and students.
In this sense, from CSIF we have demanded that the Ministry of Education urgently dictate new criteria and the threshold of incidence that should be considered throughout Spain to decide homogeneously on the closure of centers. Likewise, we insist on the need to apply the reinforcement plans promised by the Minister of Education, as well as the provision of technological means also pending.
From CSIF we also perceive that there is enormous uncertainty and concern on the part of teaching staff regarding the start of the new term. Measures are lacking and the situation cannot be delayed until it is too late, so the Government and the autonomous communities should review and update their protocols in the classrooms in the face of the severity of the third wave of COVID-19.
We urge the educational Administration to urgently adopt actions such as:
- Revision of protocols against COVID-19 that includes the closure of centers based on objective criteria, reinforcements of personnel and resources in the centers: there is a deficit of technological resources and the promised resources do not arrive.
- Risk assessment and measurement of thermohygrometric conditions in the classrooms (i.e., temperature, humidity and ventilation).
- Provide air purifiers with HEPA filters in all classrooms and CO2 meters.
Jesús Manuel Díaz Lorente. CSIF Delegate
