"Neither Tubaína nor chloroquine; it's social distancing." The statement was made by Jarkko Wickström, head of operations for Finland University in Latin America, during the opening panel on the second day of the Bett Educar Online Conference.

Standing alongside Maria João Horta, deputy director-general of Portugal’s Ministry of Education, Wickström summed up the local experience of the education sector during the pandemic in a single sentence. While Finland has long been a model for education, Portugal has become a model in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Finland has ranked among the top 15 countries in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) since the program began in 2000. Portugal, meanwhile, has a president who is a teacher by training. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa went viral at least twice during the pandemic—wearing a mask while waiting in line at a grocery store, and this week, in a video lesson on citizenship for elementary school students.

To give you an idea of the gulf between the reality in those countries and the reality in Brazil, as of this Tuesday, June 24, there were 40,104 confirmed cases and 1,543 deaths from COVID-19 in Portugal. In Finland, there have been just over 7,000 confirmed cases and 327 deaths since [date]. In both countries, in-person classes resumed in May, shortly before the end of the European school year.

Education played a prominent role in the plans to ease lockdown restrictions in both countries. Social distancing, hygiene, and extensive logistical planning were the main measures implemented as in-person school activities resumed. The gradual return to in-person classes took place only after infection rates were brought under control in both Portugal and Finland.

Maria João Horta said that the reopening in Portugal began with the oldest students—high school students, ages 15 to 18—and preschoolers, ages 3 to 6, right after Easter. "All safety measures were put in place, from strategies for entering schools to organizing classrooms into small, rotating groups, and a strong focus on hygiene—especially for the youngest children in kindergarten, who returned to school so their parents could go back to work."

In Finland, early childhood education continued to operate even during the lockdown. Only secondary education switched to homeschooling, and higher education had to adapt to distance learning. According to Jarkko Wickström, this was the only challenge for teachers in the country, since this method is not used in higher education.

"Even so, the transition was quick and easy because both teachers and students were already familiar with the technology. The next school year will begin in late August, with a normal return to schools, in accordance with the safety guidelines already in place. Universities have yet to decide what to do. It seems that the pandemic is already over here," said the COO.

Portugal highlights the significant investment being made in the digital transition. “The purchase of computers and tablets, especially for the neediest families, will make it possible to provide tutoring to students facing difficulties due to this period of school closures,” explained Maria João.

Both representatives emphasized the importance of training teachers so they can continue to use the platforms even after schools reopen. They also highlighted the importance of teachers working together, with a greater focus on the learning process rather than on technological tools, which were used solely as a means of access.

"No one liked this lockdown. Students missed interacting with their classmates, and parents didn't like having to juggle double shifts. Brazil has a natural tendency toward optimism; here, we want this to pass quickly so we can go back to doing what we normally do," said Jarkko Wickström.

The event, held on the afternoon of June 24, also featured Leo Fraiman, an expert in educational psychology. Fraiman, a speaker and the creator of the OPEE Methodology, shared practical tips on how to welcome students back to school. He also shared a guide to help educators, which is available for download.

The closing session provided guidance for managers through the panel discussion “BNDES and Education: Credit Lines for Educational Institutions.” Conrado Leiras Matos, head of the BNDES Department of Education and Social Investments, and Marcus Vinícius Macedo Alves, manager in the institution’s Department of Clients and Institutional Relations, explained how to access credit lines and specialized financial instruments. The products vary depending on the educational institution’s profile and can even be requested for working capital.

"BNDES credit lines have been expanded to provide assistance to business owners during this health crisis, and they are also available to private educational institutions," said Conrado Matos, noting that in many cases, the credit approval process can be completed in a matter of seconds.

Anyone who missed the presentations from the two-day Bett Educar Online Event can watch everything starting this Friday, June 26, on the Bett Educar YouTube channel.

For more information on education, stay tuned to our blog!

Credits:https://www.educador21.com.br/post/empatia-e-seguranca-sao-prioridades-na-volta-as-aulas