The head of government gave details for the “careful presence” in schools

The head of government of the City of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, presented this Thursday the definitive protocol to return to classrooms in person. “Education is a priority because it forms us as people and equalizes opportunities. In 2021 the boys have to go back to the classrooms”, He assured this morning at a press conference.

Thus, the Buenos Aires government publicly assumed the commitment for classes to begin on February 17 in a framework of careful presence. In this sense, Larreta warned that “in 2020, twice as many boys failed to achieve the desired knowledge” and that according to research by UNICEF and the INECO Foundation, “closed schools increase school dropouts.”

In this sense, the head of government reviewed the work that they carried out together with the Educational authorities for a “careful presence.” Each school will adopt the protocol to the different types of establishment.

Infobae He accessed all the details of the final protocol.

All the boys go back to school every day for at least a simple 4-hour shift. They are going to do it progressively:

● On February 17th, boys from 45 days to 5 years old, the first three grades of primary and Special mode and the first two years of secondary school return.

● On February 22, students in the last four grades of primary and Special mode.

● On March 1, students in the last three years of high school and the last four years of technical school.

● On March 8th the students of the adult school.

● And on March 22, the tertiaries and the professional and teacher training institutes.

The basics of the “School First” plan:

1. Virtuality, although it is a great tool, is not enough to guarantee learning and nothing replaces contact with the teacher, teamwork and learning with colleagues. In fact, in 2020 twice as many children as the previous year failed to achieve the desired knowledge.

2. Presence in the classroom is essential for inclusion. According to an investigation by UNICEF and the INECO Foundation, closed schools increase school dropouts.

3. Not going to school affects the emotional well-being of the boys, as the Argentine Society of Pediatrics and the National Academy of Medicine, among other institutions, correctly stated.

4. And also, because face-to-face classes order family life and allow parents to better organize their work.

I work school by school

The head of government explained that “first each school building in the City was surveyed, more than 900, to find out what conditions they were in to comply with the protocol.”

In this sense, Larreta explained that “when the characteristics of the buildings do not allow it, community spaces will be added close to schools, such as libraries and clubs, so that they can have more space to teach their classes.”

The protocol

It is implemented according to the reality of each school. The use of face masks and taking the temperature when entering are common to all. It is a detailed protocol with guidelines to guarantee careful presence, such as:

● Admission to schools will be staggered every 10 minutes.

● The bubbles will be the grade, room, course, or year.

● The social distance will have to be at least 1.5 meters and for that a redistribution of the furniture will be made.

● Upon entering, all the boys’ temperature will be taken and their hands will be cleaned with alcohol gel.

● The mask is going to be compulsory from class five onwards and we are going to give acetate masks to teachers.

● Air renewal is key and doors and windows will be kept open.

● There will be breaks but without contact between the different bubbles. They can be staggered or in different spaces, for example.

● Some activities, such as physical education and music classes, will have their specific protocol.

● And big events, including the start of classes, will be suspended for the moment.

Each of the schools, with the participation of directors and teachers, adapt this protocol according to the characteristics of the building. Today the establishments are divided into 5 types according to their construction model and their building conditions. The Government will accompany them and there will be a permanent control jointly with the unions and the educational community, as well as the evolution of the health situation.

In addition, an exclusive telephone line will be set up so that the management teams of each school can communicate with any inconvenience or doubt regarding the implementation of the protocol. And they will also be able to enter the City’s website to see the details they need.

And the families will receive between today and tomorrow all the details of schedules and organization for the return to school.

Testing plan

Testing is one of the best tools to face the pandemic. This week the exclusive testing plan was launched for the educational community for workers from both public and private schools, who can be tested every two weeks.

It is tested in:

1. La Rural (Commune 14), Palermo, operates from 8 am to 8 pm from Monday to Sunday. The test can be done both in a pedestrian way with entrance through Av. Santa Fe 4201, and vehicular, with access through Av. Sarmiento 2704.

2. Usina del Arte (Commune 4), Agustín Caffarena 1, La Boca. Pedestrian testing, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3. Community Headquarters 7 (Av. Rivadavia 7202), Flores, which will do pedestrian testing from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday.

Shifts are taken at the City’s web address https://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/educacion/noticias/testeos-gratuitos-para-el-personal-docente-y-no-docente.

The results will be reported between 12 and 24 hours by mail or telephone communication or through the Boti chat (11 50500147). If it is positive, it will be informed by Health personnel through a telephone call to be able to transmit the health procedure to follow.

Until last night from Monday the 8th, they tested 3,251 teachers and non-teachers, with 15 accumulated positive cases and 407 of people who showed they had Covid 19 antibodies.

Transport and mobility

Public transportation will be a priority for students and teachers when entering and leaving schools. For that, the signage will be reinforced at 1,700 bus stops and shelters.

We are working with the National Government to increase the frequency of the buses during school hours so that children and teachers can travel respecting distances and arrive faster.

A protocol for school buses was also designed. They are going to have to circulate with the windows open, all the boys are going to have their temperature taken before going upstairs and of course they are all going to have to wear face masks. Hygiene measures will be reinforced, drivers must be separated by a plastic divider and only seated boys will be admitted.

The Up and Down program is going to work again in 140 schools, with which traffic is organized for those families who take their children by car and prevent children from getting on or off vehicles parked in double row.

And in the larger schools there will be partial or total roadblocks during entry and exit, with a group of awareness-raising coordinators coordinating this issue. In addition, Prevention Agents to take care of children, parents and teachers at those times of the day.

Those who need to use public transport, intended only for essential workers, must obtain the corresponding permit required by the National Government. It is processed like this:

1. Enter the page www.argentina.gob.ar/circular.

2. Indicate if you have an Argentine DNI.

3. Enter the place of destination. Select the option “Go to an educational establishment to work or study” and detail the reason (work, student or responsible adult). It will be necessary to inform the SUBE card number for transfers in urban, interurban or interjurisdictional public passenger transport.

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