The Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers containing the new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 was signed yesterday.
The Ministry of Education, in its central and territorial articulations, will accompany the educational institutions in the implementation of the new provisions. A specific explanatory note is expected to be issued.
Below is a summary of the measures envisaged by the Dpcm for schools.
Measures valid throughout the national territory:
- In upper secondary schools, 100% of the activities will take place through the use of integrated digital teaching. Without prejudice to the possibility of carrying out activities in presence for the use of the laboratories or to guarantee the effective scholastic inclusion of pupils with disabilities and, in general, with special educational needs.
- In kindergartens, in those of the first cycle of education (primary and lower secondary schools) and in the educational services for children, educational activities will continue to take place in the presence, with the mandatory use of respiratory protection devices, except for children under the age of 6 and for those with pathologies or disabilities incompatible with the use of the mask.
- The meetings of the collegial bodies can only be held remotely. Their renewal, scheduled for this period, will also take place remotely, in compliance with the principles of secrecy and freedom in participating in elections.
- Educational trips, exchange or twinning initiatives, guided tours and educational outings are suspended, except for the activities related to the paths for transversal skills and orientation (PCTO).
- The Dpcm suspends "the conduct of the preselective and written tests of public and private competition procedures". From tomorrow and until next December 3, therefore, the tests of the extraordinary competition for lower and upper secondary school are suspended and will in any case be recalendarized. To date, meanwhile, over 60% of candidates have already taken the tests. The Ministry will start the correction of the writings of the procedures already carried out.
Measures for territories with more serious scenarios:
In areas that are characterized by scenarios of "high severity and a high risk level", which will be identified by order of the Minister of Health, the same measures envisaged at national level will apply to the school.
The Dpcm provides for more restrictive measures for schools in areas that should, on the other hand, be characterized by a scenario of "maximum severity and a high level of risk". These areas must always be identified with a specific order of the Minister of Health.
For teaching, in case of more restrictive measures:
- The preschool, the educational services for infancy, primary and the first year of lower secondary school will remain present. The teaching activities in all other cases will take place exclusively remotely.
- In any case, the possibility of carrying out activities in presence remains unaffected if the use of laboratories is necessary or to guarantee the effective scholastic inclusion of pupils with disabilities and in general with special educational needs.
The provisions of the Decree apply from the date of November 5, 2020, replacing those of the Dpcm of October 24, 2020, and are effective until December 3, 2020.