Luxembourg teachers’ union aims for maskless attendance with regular Covid-tests

The teachers’ union is trying to establish a certain degree of normalcy with tighter measures

On 29 August, the Luxembourg teachers’ union, FEDUSE (Fédération des Universitaires au Service de l’État), published a statement calling for the adoption of a mass testing practice in schools to ensure students can attend class without a mask.

The union called for a comprehensive system, including vaccination, recovered status or a negative Covid-test - with unvaccinated people having to take a test every 48 hours. According to FEDUSE this is the only way to ensure a safe environment in schools while pushing for higher vaccination rates.

Safe for teachers and students

15 September is the start of the school year in Luxembourg and that date is fast approaching. However, the question of what that school year is going to look like is popping up again and again. Teachers, parents, students and lawmakers are all wondering what is the safest way forward.

FEDUSE are convinced that a Covid-check is the simplest and most effective solution for restoring in-person, maskless secondary education to the greatest possible normalcy. While a far cry from pre-pandemic conditions, the implementation of stricter testing and vaccination measures can offer the best possible protection for any given school.

Schools should allow students who have either gotten the vaccine, have recently recovered from COVID-19 or tested negative for the virus to attend class mask-free. At the same time, according to the union, unvaccinated staff and students should take a Covid-test every 48 hours to maintain a safe environment.

FEDUSE also called the government to schedule weekly visits by mobile vaccination centres, especially to high schools. The union explained that, after consultation with parents, students should not have any barriers when it comes to vaccination.

Currently, according to the Education Ministry, 87% of all teachers have taken the vaccine.

Meanwhile, in July, Education Minister Claude Meisch claimed that students returning to school in September would likely not need masks, however, a final decision from the Ministry still needs to develop a comprehensive Covid-strategy for the school year.

Initially, he said that this would happen after the summer break, however, with just two weeks left until the start of school, he is yet to announce a decision.