The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) welcomes the opening up of society based on the most recent decisions on the coronavirus pandemic taken by the Federal Government and the states, but warns emphatically against a hasty and costly resumption of face-to-face activities at Germany’s universities.
HRK President Professor Peter-André Alt said in Berlin today: “In principle, it is very positive that we once again have more scope for action in our society. However, for many reasons it makes little sense to provide for comprehensive attendance at universities again within a week.
“On the one hand, most universities do not have the necessary space to comply with the hygiene regulations to the necessary extent. Moreover, it is not possible to interchange face-to-face and online models at will and at short notice. Digital teaching has its own rules and laws, which also affect how the material is structured and presented. To this end, the universities have developed concepts and infrastructure with admirable speed and quality, which should now bear fruit in terms of the planned learning success, but also in terms of building digital competence among everyone involved. This would be nullified by abruptly starting regular lectures. It would therefore be advisable to begin face-to-face operations only for internships and practical courses that cannot be replaced digitally.”
Yesterday, the federal and state governments decided to allow a further easing of the current restrictions and to transfer the bulk of responsibility for further decisions to the federal states. In some federal states, an extensive and rapid return to classroom teaching at universities is being discussed or already planned.
HRK President Alt added: “A step-by-step approach is also urgently recommended with regard to social and individual planning. The students in particular have largely adapted to digital learning and have made the appropriate arrangements, some of them temporarily relocating. It would be a problematic signal in this transitional period to raise false expectations among this large and important social group.”