Education
Almost 1,000 daily COVID-19 deaths in Germany: The criminal outcome of keeping businesses and schools open
By Christoph Vandreier, 17 December 2020
Despite the horrific number of deaths, all parties in the German parliament continue to put profit before lives and health.
Scottish government and unions refuse to extend holiday break despite teachers' demands
By Steve James, 16 December 2020
The Scottish government and the Educational Institute for Scotland are working to ensure schools stay open as long as possible before the Christmas holiday to ensure maximum profits.
As pandemic rages
Johnson government forces London schools to remain open
By Thomas Scripps, 16 December 2020
The dangers posed by keeping schools open worsen daily. London has been leading a renewed national surge of infections since the partial November national lockdown was ended.
What is the impact of $37,000 of student debt on a worker’s life?
By Emily Ochai, 16 December 2020
Under the current conditions, in which millions of people are unemployed due to the pandemic, student debt becomes even more debilitating for young people in the United States.
British Columbia’s NDP government presiding over mass COVID-19 infections in schools
By Penny Smith, 16 December 2020
Even as infections surge in schools throughout BC’s lower mainland, the province’s NDP government and its unions allies are determined to keep kids crammed into unsafe classrooms.
999 NYC Educators R&F committee statement
16 December 2020
US teachers union “lefts” pen love letter to Biden
By Renae Cassimeda and Evan Blake, 16 December 2020
The central purpose of the letter is to congratulate Biden, endorse his plan to reopen schools amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, and lobby for him to appoint a Secretary of Education committed to racialist policies.
999 Tennessee teacher dies from COVID-19
16 December 2020
Michigan high schooler contracts COVID-19 after being forced to take in-person SAT test
By James Vega and Nancy Hanover, 15 December 2020
The girl had repeatedly requested to be excused from the test rather than take the chance of contracting the disease or potentially infecting her at-risk mother.
“I stand with Ms. Jones, and I call on others to stand in solidarity with Ms. Jones.”
Statements of support for COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones from across the US
By Chase Lawrence, 15 December 2020
In response to this clear assault on democratic rights, there has been an outpouring of support by educators, scientists, and other workers in defense of Jones and the rights of whistleblowers.
Open schools and businesses in Germany are leading to record infections and mass death
By Marianne Arens, 14 December 2020
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported the second consecutive daily record of the pandemic on Friday, with almost 30,000 new infections registered in 24 hours and almost 600 COVID-19 patients dying again in one day.
New York Times smears COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Genevieve Leigh, 14 December 2020
The Times is attempting to dig up completely irrelevant episodes from Jones’ past in order to discredit her work in exposing the state cover-up of COVID-19 cases.
School students in Germany protest and enforce online teaching to combat coronavirus infection
By Gregor Link, 14 December 2020
“With our pupils’ strike, we have achieved more protection against infection with a few hours of preparation than all of the measures taken by Bremen’s politicians in recent months.”
College of Saint Rose in New York slashes programs and tenured faculty positions
By Philip Guelpa, 14 December 2020
By December 2021, 33 of 151 full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty positions will be eliminated, as well as eight visiting faculty positions.
Texas educators demand halt to in-person state standardized testing
Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 12 December 2020
Texas educators are demanding that students not be forced to take in-person state assessments as a prerequisite for graduation during the pandemic.
“We need more people in society to stand against these ‘leaders’ and speak the truth.”
Workers across the US speak out in defense of COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Renae Cassimeda, 12 December 2020
The WSWS received widespread support for Rebekah Jones from educators and other workers in Florida, California, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Hawaii.
UFCW ends 3-month Winnipeg school bus drivers' strike without a contract, as COVID-19 cases skyrocket
By Carl Bronski, 12 December 2020
The drivers' strike was the first public sector job action since a court found the Manitoba Conservative government’s antiworker wage-control law unconstitutional.
999 Texas Educators R&F committee statement
11 December 2020
Committee for Public Education (Australia) online meeting discusses global struggles of teachers and educators
By Carolyn Kennett, 11 December 2020
Panellists explained the fight for rank-and-file committees to provide the deep-seated opposition to the reopening of schools a political direction and leadership.
UK government forces schools to stay open as infections continue to surge
By Tom Pearce, 11 December 2020
Using the Coronavirus Act, the education secretary can “give temporary continuity directions requiring schools to take certain actions, including staying open”.
999 Pseudo-left teachers unions letter to Biden
11 December 2020
Private school permitting students to wear Islamic clothing closed in Paris
By Samuel Tissot, 11 December 2020
The school’s closure is only the latest provocation in a series of attacks launched by the Macron government against institutions that serve France’s six million Muslims.
“They never respected us enough to acknowledge the human lives lost.”
Montgomery, Alabama teachers demand the right to teach from home, are snubbed by school board
By Emma Arceneaux, 10 December 2020
Emotions ran high in the meeting held just three days after the burials of two beloved educators.
999 Columbia students emails taken away
10 December 2020
Pupils in Germany resist in-person classes and demand “consistent lockdown”
By Gregor Link, 10 December 2020
The Bremen school strike is part of a growing wave of resistance by students against the herd immunity policies of the European governments.
UK National Education Union calls off strike over Covid safety at primary school in Merseyside
By Margot Miller, 10 December 2020
The strike called off by the NEU would have been the first official Covid-related strike in the UK since the spring, as pressure from educators and parents mounts to close unsafe schools.
One week after wildcat sickout strike, South Carolina teacher dies from COVID-19
By Rosa Shahnazarian and Emma Arceneaux, 9 December 2020
Despite the tragic death of 50-year-old third-grade teacher Staci Blakely, the school and district remain open for in-person learning.
Teacher walkout forces closure of Toronto-area school hit by COVID-19 outbreak
By Omar Ali, 9 December 2020
Public health authorities initially refused to close the school, following directives from Ontario’s Conservative government, which is determined to keep schools open so parents can go to work and generate profits for big business.
Opposition erupts at San Diego State University following decision to cancel spring break
By IYSSE at San Diego State University, 9 December 2020
The university administration, acting in conjunction with the Democratic Party, has created the conditions for the spread of the virus while providing students with no resources to cope with the stress of school and work amidst a public health emergency.
Reopening of New York City schools threatens massive spread of COVID-19
By Evan Blake, 8 December 2020
The driving force behind the homicidal campaign to open schools and nonessential workplaces is not science or public health, but rather the profit interests of the capitalist class.
Over 2,200 students at Columbia University threaten tuition strike amid economic crisis
By Elliott Murtagh, 8 December 2020
Confronting financial difficulty amid the ongoing pandemic, students at Columbia University in New York City are demanding lower cost of tuition and increased financial aid.
Plans by University of Colorado at Boulder to cut 50 tenured jobs evoke opposition
By Chase Lawrence, 8 December 2020
The threat to eliminate tenured faculty positions and hire adjuncts in their place has created a backlash among staff and students at the school.
“All teachers, plant workers, custodians, we all need to band together to be protected”
Alabama loses two more educators to COVID-19
By Nancy Hanover, 7 December 2020
A veteran teacher recalls the victims and calls for uniting workers against the deadly return to in-person schools.
“There is a war against the people, and we have to unite under a common cause.”
New York City workers condemn mayor’s plan to reopen schools Monday
By Sandy English, 7 December 2020
The working class in New York City has rejected the plans of the Democratic Party to reopen schools in the largest district in the United States amid rising positivity rates and hospitalizations for COVID-19
Student government delegates at the University of Michigan speak out against the administration’s COVID-19 policies
By Jesse Thomas, 7 December 2020
The decision to reopen the university residence halls and conduct in-person learning immediately provoked opposition from the student body, culminating in a nine-day strike in September by graduate student instructors.
999 South Carolina teachers sickout
7 December 2020
UK Tory government manipulated statistics to play down COVID-19 danger to educators
By Henry Lee, 5 December 2020
Boris Johnson’s government is attempting to rubbish any conclusion that teaching is a high-risk occupation, using a combination of manipulated statistics and outright lies.
Washington, DC public schools return students to classes amid record-breaking COVID-19 spike
By Nick Barrickman, 5 December 2020
The sudden return of students to classrooms amid a devastating surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths is based upon businesses demanding a complete reopening of the economy.
Growing protests in Germany against lethal policy of opening schools
By Gregor Link, 5 December 2020
The decision by politicians to keep schools, day-care centres and businesses open under unsafe conditions is costing the lives of hundreds of people every day in Germany alone, who die a completely avoidable and agonizing death.
Michigan educators, autoworkers and healthcare workers: Unite to stop COVID-19 and save lives now!
Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 5 December 2020
Urgent and far-reaching action is needed to save thousands of lives across Michigan this winter. Join our committee now!
UK schools facing bankruptcy during pandemic
By Margot Miller, 4 December 2020
Half the schools in Stockport anticipate going into deficit budgets this year as they struggle with the extra costs incurred by the pandemic.
Cleveland Heights Teachers Union calls off strike hours after picket lines are formed
By Isaac Finn, 4 December 2020
On Wednesday morning, many educators in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District set up picket lines, only to be informed hours later that the strike had been cancelled.
999 Washington DC school reopening plans
4 December 2020
Letter to Boycott Return to Unsafe Schools (BRTUS)/Parents United Against Unsafe Schools
Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 3 December 2020
Workers and parents must have the right to decide which political programme and perspective they wish to adopt or discuss and debate. Blocking access to this through censorship is a reactionary tool to silence opposition.
UK Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee meets as Johnson ends one-month national lockdown
By Harvey Singh, 3 December 2020
“Workers overwhelmingly oppose this calculated endangering of human life, but Labour and the trade unions are working systematically to prevent this opposition gaining a political voice and leadership.”
Mobilize the working class to halt school reopenings in New York City!
The New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 3 December 2020
Everything now depends upon the building of rank-and-file safety committees in every school and neighborhood across the city, completely independent of the UFT and the Democrats who are conspiring to reopen schools.
Los Angeles school district plans full reopening as COVID-19 outbreaks mount in schools
By Dan Conway, 2 December 2020
Despite claims that they do not intend to fully reopen schools, behind closed doors the school district is in fact planning such moves with the teachers union.
Sixteen-year-old Wisconsin high school student dies of COVID-19
By Fabian Salgado, 2 December 2020
Even though Isai Morocho’s school was not meeting in person, his father, mother and brother all work in-person jobs, allowing for endless possible encounters with the virus.
Amid pandemic surge in school-aged children
Chicago Public Schools unveils reopening plan
By Alexander Fangmann, 2 December 2020
The Chicago Public Schools reopening plan ignores the deadly reality of COVID-19 and will result in the needless deaths of even more Illinois teachers, students and family members.
14-year-old Michigan youth who was brutally treated by police dies of COVID-19
By Valery Tsekov, 2 December 2020
Fourteen-year-old Honestie Hodges has died from complications of COVID-19 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, two weeks after being hospitalized on her birthday.
Resolution in Germany: “Close schools and day-care centres and organize safe education!”
By Network of Action Committees for Safe Education, 1 December 2020
The following statement was adopted by the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education at its meeting last Friday.
The conspiracy to reopen schools
By Andre Damon, 1 December 2020
Despite a months-long media campaign claiming it is safe to reopen schools, every reputable scientific study has shown that closing schools is one of the most effective ways to contain the pandemic.
Meeting of the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education
In Germany, dozens of students, parents and teacher representatives call for school strikes and safe education
By Our reporters, 1 December 2020
On Friday evening, the network of Action Committees for Safe Education in Germany held its largest online meeting to date.
New York City educators denounce plans to reopen schools
By Sandy English, 1 December 2020
Educators throughout New York City have reacted with outrage at the plans of Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio and the UFT to reopen schools on December 7.
Cleveland-Heights University Heights School District threatens to halt health care benefits if teachers strike
By Isaac Finn, 30 November 2020
A school district just outside of Cleveland, Ohio is threatening to cut healthcare payments to 500 teachers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York City schools to reopen amid explosion of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, deaths
By Bryan Dyne, 30 November 2020
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement is a warning to the working class in the United States and internationally that even as numerous coronavirus vaccines are nearing completion, workers and youth will continue to be sent into workplaces and schools to needlessly get sick and die.
Despite strikes and protests over coronavirus, schools and day-care centres remain open in Germany
By Marianne Arens, 30 November 2020
Last week’s Coronavirus Summit, attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel along with the 16 heads of the state governments, demonstrated one thing: businesses, schools and day-care centres are to be kept open no matter what.
Sri Lankan government orders schools to reopen, threatening thousands with COVID-19
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 30 November 2020
In line with its dangerous and irresponsible “new normal” coronavirus policies, the Rajapakse government is sending students and teachers back to school.
Massive spread of COVID-19 in Kentucky schools and death of 15-year-old girl prompts statewide school closures
By Warren Duzak, 28 November 2020
Almost 10,000 K-12 students and 2,000 faculty members are presently in quaratine or isolation across Kentucky.
COVID-19 death of Ontario youth worker—a tragic outcome of the ruling elite’s criminal school reopening policy
By Omar Ali, 27 November 2020
Ingrid Salt was employed as a child and youth worker at a school in a low-income north-west Toronto neighbourhood.
Amid COVID-19 disaster on university campuses, students must build campus safety committees!
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (UK), 27 November 2020
Students are being treated as little more than cash cows for a marketised higher education system and scapegoats for a programme of “herd immunity”.
Thousands of US college students return home for Thanksgiving amid surging pandemic
By Alex Findijs, 26 November 2020
After the disastrous reopening of campuses this fall led to hundreds of thousands of cases, countless college students are bringing the coronavirus home with them.
999 Education article, topic TBD (Chicago, TN, MI or AL)
26 November 2020
Australia: Residents speak out against northern NSW school closures
By Kaye Tucker, 26 November 2020
“For families like mine, this is a real panic situation! I’m in social housing and very grateful to have a roof over our heads, but if I can’t give my son a quality education in the area, then I am going to have to move.”
“I think school should be closed until the virus is brought under control”
UK student nurse and her daughter speak out on impact of pandemic
By our reporter, 26 November 2020
The World Socialist Web Site spoke with Elizabeth, a student nurse in her final year in Manchester, and her daughter Claire, aged 15, about their experiences during the pandemic.
Two Alabama teachers die from COVID-19 as governor vows to keep schools and businesses open
By Shelley Connor, 25 November 2020
Over the past two weeks, the rate of COVID-19 infections across Alabama has increased by over 50 percent, with educators representing a significant number of these cases.
New York City teachers union pushes for fast return to in-person classes
By Alberto Escalera, 25 November 2020
Less than a week after New York City’s Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio was forced to close schools due to the spreading pandemic, the United Federation of Teachers is calling for them to be reopened.
UK mother whose children all contracted COVID-19 speaks out to demand school closures: “I agree you must close schools and universities to save lives”
By our reporters, 25 November 2020
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to Linda, a parent of three school children, who all tested positive for coronavirus at the end of October.
University of Sydney staff hold walk-out, protest sackings of entire departments
By Jack Turner, 24 November 2020
The latest retrenchments include entire departments, taking the attack on jobs and conditions to a qualitatively new level.
999 Remote learning in the US
24 November 2020
Australian university union blocks opposition as cuts to jobs and conditions intensify
By Mike Head, 24 November 2020
Every week brings new announcements of retrenchments as the managements exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate pro-business restructuring.
Strikes and protests across Germany against regular school operations
By Gregor Link and Philipp Frisch, 24 November 2020
Faced with mass infections at schools and a cover-up by the federal and state governments, students throughout Germany are beginning to take the protection of their health and that of their families into their own hands.
Alabama juvenile hall teacher speaks out on hazardous conditions
By Shelley Connor, 24 November 2020
An educator at one of Alabama’s juvenile detention facilities described the dangerous conditions she and her students are forced to confront daily.
UK universities expose thousands of international students to raging pandemic
By Henry Lee, 23 November 2020
Such are the horrendous conditions, with the Conservative government set to end its national lockdown on December 2, that many international students will contract this deadly disease.
Chaotic move to online learning designed to facilitate reopening of New York City schools
By Alberto Escalera, 21 November 2020
The withholding of resources necessary for remote learning is a calculated policy meant to pressure working class parents to acquiesce to the growing calls for a return to in-person classes.
“All workers need to come together”
Montgomery, Alabama educators hold protest at State Capitol to demand school closures
By Emma Arceneaux, 21 November 2020
One of the worst-hit cities in Alabama, Montgomery has had 11,903 cases and 232 deaths since the pandemic began.
CFPE online meeting: The global fight for educator and student safety in the COVID-19 pandemic
By The CFPE (Australia), 21 November 2020
The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) invites educators, students and working people in Australia and internationally to participate in an online meeting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools, college, universities and other educational institutions.
Binghamton University closes after coronavirus outbreak, University at Buffalo defies guidelines to remain open
By Alex Findijs, 21 November 2020
Binghamton University has switched to remote learning for the second time after recording 100 cases in two weeks. The University at Buffalo, however, has decided to remain open despite reaching the threshold for closure.
San Diego schools continue to reopen as California surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases
By Renae Cassimeda, 21 November 2020
San Diego teachers are speaking out in opposition to school districts keeping schools open as cases skyrocket throughout the county.
“They want to silence me for telling the truth.”
Montgomery, Alabama teachers report on hostile and unsafe working conditions
By Emma Arceneaux, 20 November 2020
The WSWS spoke to three Montgomery teachers about the conditions they face, the spread of the virus in the schools, and the role of the unions in enforcing school openings.
As COVID-19 surges, the New York Times demands that schools remain open
By Andre Damon, 20 November 2020
In a series of news articles, editorials, and op-eds, the Times has waged a campaign to oppose the closure of schools to stop the spread of the pandemic.
Students criticize University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel over reckless reopening
By Jesse Thomas, 20 November 2020
A Q&A session Monday night resulted in a debacle for Schlissel as he faced widespread criticism from participating student representatives over the disastrous reopening he has overseen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
UK city of Hull becomes new COVID-19 epicentre fuelled by unsafe schools
By Harvey Thompson, 20 November 2020
In Hull, 57 of the city’s 97 schools have been affected, while in the wider East Riding area, cases have been reported in 103 of 150 schools.
999 San Diego educators
19 November 2020
Whitmer keeps Michigan K-8 schools and factories open despite record COVID-19 surge
By Zac Corrigan, 19 November 2020
New restrictions on public gatherings exclude K-8 in-person education as well as all factories and workplaces, all major vectors for the spread of COVID-19 in communities.
Germany’s schools remain open despite a massive second wave of COVID-19
By Marianne Arens, 19 November 2020
Governments at the national and state levels are keeping schools and day care centres open, ensuring that the pandemic will continue to explode, pushing up death rates.
New York City educators and parents must take control over online learning! Schools must stay closed until the pandemic is contained!
New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 19 November 2020
Our committee warns that the closure of schools is a temporary maneuver and we call on educators, parents and students to demand no resumption of in-person learning until a proven vaccine has been verified and distributed free of charge.
Growing support among workers for shutdown of nonessential production as US death toll tops 250,000
By Jerry White, 19 November 2020
Anger among workers is boiling over as corporations keep operating even though COVID-19 infections are spreading uncontrollably throughout factories and other workplaces.
Number of children diagnosed with COVID-19 in the US surpasses one million
By Alex Findijs, 19 November 2020
Most of the infections have come after the reopening of schools, highlighting the dangers of in-person instruction during the pandemic.
UK Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee demands schools and campuses close to halt the spread of the pandemic
By Our reporter, 18 November 2020
“Lessons have to be drawn, any orientation to the labour and trade union bureaucracy will be a death trap,” said teacher and meeting moderator Tania Kent.
New York Governor Cuomo keeps schools open despite rising COVID-19 positivity rate
By Alberto Escalera, 18 November 2020
Schools will remain open in New York City Wednesday despite the positivity rate reaching 3.2 percent Tuesday, with the latest data showing a 2.74 percent seven-day rolling average infection rate in the city.
What would a Biden administration mean for public education?
By Renae Cassimeda, 17 November 2020
An understanding of what a Biden administration would have in store for educators requires a sober appraisal of the record of the Obama-Biden administration, the president-elect’s program and the class interests that Biden and the Democratic Party serve.
Michigan university’s ‘Veteran’s Promise’ exploits economic crisis to promote military recruitment
By Luke Galvin, 17 November 2020
In effect, the plan simultaneously throws support behind the parasitic recruitment policies of the US military while attempting to boost enrollment numbers at the school.
Utah teachers stage wildcat sickout to demand COVID-19 testing, online instruction as cases soar
By Kayla Costa and David Fitzgerald, 17 November 2020
Teachers in Utah conducted a sickout strike opposed by the union to demand an end to in-person instruction as the pandemic spreads uncontrolled.
UK Universities step up job cuts with connivance of the University and College Union
By Ioan Petrescu, 16 November 2020
The UCU finalised a sell-out agreement in its dispute with Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, just one day before strike action was to commence.
Texas educators demand fully online learning to save lives
Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 16 November 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic tears across Texas, teachers, education workers and parents call for a broad struggle to protect their lives and those of students.
Coronavirus spreads throughout Germany’s schools and businesses
By Gregor Link, 16 November 2020
The federal and state governments are responsible for a situation in which the virus is running out of control nationwide.
“We’ve got to take matters into our own hands”
Victimized “Teachers Against Dying” Facebook group founder discusses the struggle facing educators
By Evan Blake, 15 November 2020
Michael Hull, the founder of the Facebook group “Teachers Against Dying,” recently spoke with the WSWS about the conditions facing educators and the growing opposition to in-person learning amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
New York City schools likely to close as pandemic surges
By Alberto Escalera, 14 November 2020
With the rise in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths throughout the region, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned Friday of a likely suspension of in-person learning at public schools as early as next week.
Herd immunity policy in German schools leads to explosion of coronavirus infections
By Marianne Arens, 14 November 2020
Even the prospect of a breakthrough regarding a COVID-19 vaccine does not impel capitalist politicians to pursue a sensible, safe pandemic policy.
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