European Trade Union Committee for Education /ETUCE/ about Covid-19: Coordinated and rational measures for the benefit of representatives and students in the field of education! ☑️Among them, many European countries are facing threats posed by the spread of the new Coronavirus. ☑️Governments and health agencies are mobilized to combat the dangers of this disease. ETUCE calls on decision-makers and education agencies to be more informed and transparent so that education workers can better protect themselves and their students.

All necessary measures should be taken in schools and educational institutions. While, if necessary, the temporary closure of educational institutions is one solution, however, the interests of employees should be protected and unfair approaches to them should be avoided.

19The new Corona virus has spread rapidly since December 2019. Symptoms of infection with Covid-19 include: Influenza, fever, cough, and respiratory problems. The consequences can be direr.

The contagious nature of Covid-19 infection has led to the closure of schools and educational institutions, the vacations are ending in many countries and educational institutions are the most sensitive places for the spread of the disease.

The safety of educational institutions, their staff and students should be paramount for everyone. Accordingly, preventive measures should be taken at all levels, in close cooperation with the authorities, health and safety experts. It should be noted that education staff have the closest contacts with students; therefore, they should be most aware of safety recommendations and situational analysis. The remuneration of those who have to be isolated out of necessity should not be questioned. Trade unions will not allow the representatives of the education sector to have to face this problem. If necessary, they should be encouraged to work from home and assisted to work online. We must overcome all these challenges without additional stress together (students, parents, society).

Susan Flocken, European Director of ETUCE: "European education systems and their employees have been exposed to Coronavirus-induced environment. Contradictory information is circulating, so it is crucial that governments coordinate to receive the answers they need. We should not panic, but neglect is also unfavorable. As an education union, representing millions of teachers and educators across Europe, we call on the government and local authorities to ensure the effective protection of the health and safety of our students and their teachers."

ETUCE constantly monitors ongoing processes and situations and receives information from member organizations, and thanks them for their work and activities at the national level.

Additional information regarding Coronavirus is always available on the World Health Organization website.