Coronavirus pandemic: National Leopoldina Academy presents ad-hoc statement regarding the education system

The statement "Coronavirus Pandemic: Crisis Resistant Education System" published today by the National Academy Leopoldina identifies measures suitable to make the existing education system more resilient and flexible in a crisis situation. The statement is addressed to the responsible parties in education, i.e. ministries, state institutes, education providers, day-care centers and schools.

The primary objective is to maintain the functionality of educational institutions and ensure access under the given circumstances of an ongoing pandemic. However, as long as there is neither a vaccine nor widely available therapies, the risk of infection must be reduced in educational institutions. Partial closures in the coming months are possible again depending on the local infection situation. The experts therefore also recommend investing in a sustainable digital system of distance learning to complement classroom teaching.

Measures in seven key areas include:

1. maintaining access to educational institutions

2. development of concepts for the integration of face-to-face and distance learning

3. providing an appropriate, secure and data protection compliant digital infrastructure

4. supporting staff and teachers in the professional use of digital media

5. strengthening cooperation and communication with parents and families

6. supporting children and teenagers with learning and performance deficits

7. strengthening the knowledge and information base

The authors of the ad hoc statement come from the fields of educational science, educational research, didactics, psychology, economics, sociology, theology, virology and medicine; among them is the IPN's Managing Scientific Director, Prof. Dr. Olaf Köller.