More than four million pupils returned to school in Poland on Tuesday (September 1), their rucksacks loaded with exercise books, geometry sets and, for many, face masks to protect them from a resurgent coronavirus pandemic.
Hand cleansing stations, social distancing and staggered playtime will become the new normal as countries across Europe seek ways to get children back into the classroom safely and their economies functioning once again.
Danuta Kozakiewicz, a director in one of the primary schools in Warsaw, said that with the new restrictions in place, this school year will be a bit sadder.
"Kids will go back to school which is not theirs anymore, which is not the school they remember," Kozakiewicz added.
Primary and high schools in cities such as Warsaw are crowded and some educators say it will be impossible to respect social distancing rules even with staggered hours.
Face masks are not compulsory in class in Poland with headmasters deciding on the use of masks in common areas and on whether to stagger school hours.
Some schools and municipalities, mainly those in the higher risk yellow and red zones with tougher sanitary restrictions reinstated due to a growth of new coronavirus infections, asked to delay school reopenings, but their request had been declined by the Ministry of Education.
Families who decline to send their children to school may face a fine of up to 10,000 zlotys ($2,710).
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters