The government, based on the recommendations of experts, will consider creating opportunities for children to study remotely in schools during the quarantine, if so recommended by the child welfare commissions of the schools.
As the Government announced on Thursday, such a recommendation was made by the Advisory Council of Experts.
According to the Government, this is relevant for children living in families that do not have enough funds, social skills or motivation to create suitable conditions for children's education at home. Such children would continue to study remotely, but in schools. The municipal administrations would organize that such children, who do not have the conditions to learn at home or who for other reasons need other help, would be provided with remote education, care and meals in educational institutions.
In the case of distance learning at school, it will be necessary to comply with the management of the flow of people, safe distance and other necessary conditions.
According to the Government, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has already included this measure in the package of aid measures being prepared to compensate for learning losses experienced during the pandemic.
The Ministry conducted a survey of students of general education schools (except for special, adult, hospital, sanatorium schools). During it, it turned out that about 25 thousand students need learning support: additional counseling, providing computer equipment, ensuring Internet connection, strengthening motivation.
About half of these students receive free meals, and families usually receive social assistance.
Half of these students need additional counseling in various subjects. About the same number of children have problems with computer equipment and/or Internet connection. A quarter of these students have no motivation to learn, and the parents of every tenth child do not communicate with the school at all.
If the Government approves the experts' proposal, this change will enter into force on January 20.
Currently, education for students participating in general education programs is organized remotely, with the exception of students educated in special schools and special classes; students in initial vocational training carried out in conjunction with a social skills programme; children of the primary education program, for whom the municipal administrations provide distance education, supervision and feeding of children in institutions, when parents, adoptive parents, guardians, representatives are required by law to perform work functions (jobs) at the workplace and cannot provide child care at home.
