Will schools open in September for the 2020–2021 season? The question of whether schools will reopen this year has become a major concern because of the coronavirus pandemic. In March, schools were closed and distance education was launched. That remote education period ended after digital report cards were issued on June 19, 2020. With daily updates on the coronavirus showing new case counts often above one thousand, many people are wondering whether schools can safely reopen in September. While a portion of the public is researching whether schools will open, others are weighing whether reopening in 2020–2021 would be appropriate.
Will education for 2020–2021 resume in classrooms or continue remotely? Health Minister Fahrettin Koca has addressed these questions. Parents and students, reviewing the latest coronavirus statistics, are also searching for an answer. Millions concerned about whether schools will open this year have received a response from Minister Koca.
Will Schools Open in September?
Following a meeting of the Coronavirus Science Board, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca made several observations about reopening. He stated that the virus will not be removed from the agenda unless certain conditions are met. People who act responsibly and follow precautions play a critical role in saving lives under current circumstances. It is misleading to assume the virus’s spread is slowing significantly. The idea that the virus has become less capable of causing illness lacks scientific support. Commonly used masks lose their protective effectiveness after a day and should not be reused.
Minister Koca noted that the country’s cumulative confirmed cases stood at 199,906, and that 53.73% of those cases were detected in Istanbul, a city connected with the entire country. He warned against public ceremonies and gatherings unless absolutely necessary, saying the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on society. Our psychological life has been constrained by the disease, and lifestyle changes and enforced isolation have increased mental stress.
Regarding treatment protocols, Koca said Turkey would be open to applying procedures used elsewhere if those countries request their protocols be used for citizens treated here—for example, if Germany asked for its protocols to be applied to German nationals in Turkey. He added that Turkey conducts around 50,000 tests daily on average and that its mortality rates are lower than those reported in many European countries.
On the specific question of whether schools will reopen, the minister emphasized that the decision depends on the course of the pandemic. He said that plans for reopening will be discussed closer to the start of the school year, based on the epidemic’s status, and any recommendations will be shared publicly.