In its response to the announced interpellation of Minister Simona Kustec, the Ministry of Education stated that it cannot comment on the interpellation until it is filed. However, the ministry emphasised that preparations for the beginning of the school year are, and also that there will be no significant changes when it comes to pedagogical work. The only novelty will be the so-called “PCT condition” – recovered, vaccinated or tested. Prime Minister Janez Janša wrote that Tanja Fajon’s SD party is once again engaging in childish provocations, while Minister Kustec has done a lot for safe schools. “Anything for power,” wrote Gregor Perič from the SMC party.
After a meeting of the leaders of the four left-wing opposition parties, the president of the SD party, Tanja Fajon, announced the filing of an interpellation against Minister of Education Simona Kustec yesterday. It could be filed within a week, and the main complaint is that 14 days before the start of the new school year, it is still not clear in what form the lessons will take place.
New information has been published on Wednesday
In a written response, the ministry stated that preparations for the new school year are underway. The first meeting with all principals of primary and secondary schools, as well as kindergartens, with information about the new school year, was held on Wednesday. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport prepared a videoconference meeting with the principals, which was also attended by representatives of the National Education Institute of Slovenia, the National Institute of Public Health and other stakeholders.
Next week, the traditional professional meeting of principals of education institutions before the start of the school will also be held, the Slovenian Press Agency reports. “Just like every year so far, before the beginning of the school year, schools will receive all necessary information about what will happen. There will be no significant changes made to the pedagogical work; we will introduce measures that are meaningful and feasible. The novelty will be the PCT condition (recovered, vaccinated, tested), which is crucial for safe entry into the school premises,” the ministry added. They also wrote that they wish for minister Kustec to recover quickly, as she announced on Monday that she was infected with the novel coronavirus. Namely, Kustec explained on Twitter that she has been in self-isolation since Saturday and received a positive test result for coronavirus on Monday. However, all activities for a safe start of the school year are continuing smoothly, she wrote on Monday.
Response of the coalition: childish provocations during a time when the minister is sick
The leader of the SMC parliamentary group, Gregor Perič, responded to the announced interpellation of the minister from their party’s quota in a post on Twitter, writing that this shows the true level of solidarity of the SD party. “To file an interpellation against minister Kustec while she is on sick leave due to covid-19,” he wrote, adding in a hashtag: “Anything for power!”
“Unfortunately, that is all that the Social Democrats are capable of. They tear down the government’s measures against covid-19 and then blame those of us, who have been working hard for a more normal life for 17 months now, for the consequences. Minister Simona Kustec has done a lot for safe schools, and Tanja Fajon’s SD party has only engaged in childish provocations,” Prime Minister Janez Janša commented on the announcement of the interpellation.
Sara Kovač
