By: C.R.
In the last few weeks, the left wing opposition has been manipulating and inciting pupils and students against government measures to curb the Chinese virus epidemic through various “initiatives”. Although many students have unfortunately fallen prey to this incitement and manipulation, the vast majority are following government measures aimed at overcoming the epidemic as soon as possible and normalising life.
Among the students who did not fall prey to incitement are also the graduates of the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium, who in an open letter warn their peers not to fall prey to the manipulations of various “initiatives”. We publish the open letter in full:
“Ladies and gentlemen, various opinions and initiatives regarding distance education have been circulating in the public in recent weeks. Students in various protest groups are looking for ways to express their dissatisfaction and disagreement with the current situation in the field of schooling and education, some on behalf of the majority of students in the Republic of Slovenia.
At the beginning, we would like to point out that, of course, all of us, especially high school graduates, want to return to school as soon as possible, as our education is extremely important to us and distance education is certainly not comparable to school lessons. Many students are deprived of a part of the programme that cannot be done remotely, and of course we miss normal socialising. However, it seems to us that the current situation requires some patience and tolerance from everyone. In the midst of an epidemic, we need to be aware that our actions affect the people around us more than before. We may not really be the most vulnerable group in the current situation, but that is why we have a much greater responsibility to work together to limit the spread of infections. With many lying helpless on hospital beds in the care of overworked health workers, the demand that young people return to classrooms immediately is selfish in any way possible.
We are happy that the epidemiological picture in Slovenia is improving, which means that we will definitely return to schools in a relatively short time. We want parents, teachers and especially students to strive to:
- strictly adhere to all government measures and recommendations,
- not protest if they will need to be tested every week,
- wear masks consistently, respect the safety distance and observe hygiene regulations,
- not support protests against the distance education, as they deprive themselves of a few hours for this, and these hours are especially valuable during this time.
We are convinced that all fourth-year students want to take the graduation exams in the first term. That is why it is important for us to responsibly respect all measures to contain the epidemic. Probably no one wants to prevent a classmate, a high school graduate from doing their graduation exams due to illness, due to their selfish behaviour and non-compliance with measures and recommendations.
We ask the government and the authorities:
- to take into account the different social and status conditions of students when establishing different models of schooling, for example students living in dormitories, as model C would be more difficult for them to implement, and above all, stressful,
- that the decision to open schools is final and we would not return to the model of distance education, as we start the graduation exams within three months and want to prepare for it as thoroughly as possible,
- to consider a solution for those students who will possibly be infected with SARS-CoV-2 to allow them to safely write their graduation exams in some sort of isolated environment.
We would also like to warn students of other schools to be careful with initiatives that are being presented on their behalf as representatives of all students, even though they do not have the right basis for this. We urge student communities to check the general opinion and express themselves in this regard in their schools, instead of self-proclaimed student representatives speaking on their behalf without their consent.
In the hope that we all return to school as soon as possible and above all safely, warm regards, graduates of the Škofijska klasična gimnazija Ljubljana, February 6, 2021.”