Important role of parent representation during coronavirus crisis.

Important role of parent representation during coronavirus crisis.

The face mask advice, adjusted school hours, keeping enough distance and ventilation. Now that a second wave of coronavirus infections is a fact, it is important that the school participation council of the school clearly knows how it can respond to the developments.

Face Masks

The role of the school participation council should not be underestimated. For example, for the cabinet decision to advise students to wear face masks in secondary education, the school participation council has the right to agree to turn that advice into a requirement. This shows that parent representation plays a key role in the school’s decision-making.

Thinking Ahead

Ouders & Onderwijs notices that the measures the parent representatives take so far are mostly short term. Especially how we make sure education can continue as well as possible. That is a correct concern. At the same time, it is important to also look ahead. We must make sure we are not caught off guard when the coronavirus hits harder. That is why we advise school participation councils and the school governing body to prepare scenarios for when the virus keeps causing problems.

The above also applies, of course, to the Joint participation council and the support plan council.

Questions

By thinking ahead, it can be decided what could come up in the future. For example, discuss these questions in advance:

• When does the school close because of infections and when can it open again?
• What do we do when the virus makes tests and exams impossible for all or some students?
• How do we ensure continuity of education and quality as well as possible? And what about groups that have to receive distance education or other forms of education?

Communication and Information Provision

As a school participation council, also make agreements about communication and information provision. This is especially important when schools must suddenly make decisions, as happened before when schools had to close and then partly reopen. Make sure you as the school participation council are informed. Agree on when you can participate in discussions.

School Participation Council Work Courses

Regular school participation council work also continues this school year. It is wise to be well prepared as a council member. You can train for this. In corona times, digital training works well too. There is a wide range, from beginner courses to training in special subjects or skills. For example, you can go to the Vereniging Openbaar Onderwijs.

More Information

Do you have ideas or questions? You can contact Ouders & Onderwijs at 088-6050101 and you can join our LinkedIn group Ouders & Medezeggenschap. On the knowledge base on our website you will find more information about the role of the school participation council.

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