Almost 1,000 Covid cases amongst Corfu school pupils since the beginning of February
COVID-19
12 Feb 2022
/ 12:40
CORFU. Teachers΄ unions are demanding that the Education Ministry and local authorities take immediate measures to limit the spread of the virus in schools.
Corfu primary and secondary teachers' unions (SEPE and ELME) are expressing their alarm at the fact that from 1 February to now there have been approximately 1,000 Covid cases amongst pupils and 60-70 amongst teachers.
In a joint press conference this morning, the two unions pointed out that they had warned both the Education Ministry and the local authorities about the spike in cases in September, but to date no measures have been taken.
"Unfortunately, no measures have been taken and, as a result, over the last two weeks there has been an increase of 100% in the number of cases in classes," said Corfu SEPE President Antonis Koursaris. "On 10 January, when schools reopened after the Christmas break, in the primary schools alone there were 100 cases. In these last two weeks, there have been over 200 cases amongst pupils and teachers each week."
Indifference
He said that the concerns expressed by teachers have fallen on deaf ears. Corfu SEPE sent a letter to the Central Corfu Mayor requesting coordination between the various services in order to have a special location for repeated rapid tests for the academic community, but were greeted with indifference.
"We find the inaction of the responsible authorities to be insulting. There is no proper education in the classrooms - proper lessons cannot take place with fewer than half of the pupils and the protocol of 50% + 1 has created problems. The reality is that proper lessons cannot take place," said Mr. Koursaris.
Demand for measures to be taken
He said that teachers are demanding that immediate measures be taken by the Education Ministry and the local authorities to ensure safety and protect the public health in schools and quality of education.
538 cases in junior high and high schools
Corfu ELME President Achileas Kapetanios said that 503 pupils and 35 teachers at junior high and high schools have tested positive for Covid since the beginning of February.
"It is obvious that the government and Ministry of Education have lost control of the pandemic," he said. "They have decide to proceed with the policy of herd immunity. A large portion of the 300+ daily cases in Corfu is from schools. We can see the indifference of the government, ministry and local authorities in the fact that they aren't taking any measures."
He added that the school community is being decimated due to the increased number of cases and warned that the two unions and Corfu Parents & Guardians Association will be organising protest shortly.
In a joint press conference this morning, the two unions pointed out that they had warned both the Education Ministry and the local authorities about the spike in cases in September, but to date no measures have been taken.
"Unfortunately, no measures have been taken and, as a result, over the last two weeks there has been an increase of 100% in the number of cases in classes," said Corfu SEPE President Antonis Koursaris. "On 10 January, when schools reopened after the Christmas break, in the primary schools alone there were 100 cases. In these last two weeks, there have been over 200 cases amongst pupils and teachers each week."
Indifference
He said that the concerns expressed by teachers have fallen on deaf ears. Corfu SEPE sent a letter to the Central Corfu Mayor requesting coordination between the various services in order to have a special location for repeated rapid tests for the academic community, but were greeted with indifference.
"We find the inaction of the responsible authorities to be insulting. There is no proper education in the classrooms - proper lessons cannot take place with fewer than half of the pupils and the protocol of 50% + 1 has created problems. The reality is that proper lessons cannot take place," said Mr. Koursaris.
Demand for measures to be taken
He said that teachers are demanding that immediate measures be taken by the Education Ministry and the local authorities to ensure safety and protect the public health in schools and quality of education.
538 cases in junior high and high schools
Corfu ELME President Achileas Kapetanios said that 503 pupils and 35 teachers at junior high and high schools have tested positive for Covid since the beginning of February.
"It is obvious that the government and Ministry of Education have lost control of the pandemic," he said. "They have decide to proceed with the policy of herd immunity. A large portion of the 300+ daily cases in Corfu is from schools. We can see the indifference of the government, ministry and local authorities in the fact that they aren't taking any measures."
He added that the school community is being decimated due to the increased number of cases and warned that the two unions and Corfu Parents & Guardians Association will be organising protest shortly.
