Remote learning to avoid in-person classes without guarantees for the safety of professionals, students, and their families.

All the information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil leads us to oppose the easing of quarantine measures that is being done without observing the criteria determined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO advises relaxing social isolation only when the transmission rate of the new coronavirus is below 1, to show that it is under control.

This is not the case for Brazil, nor for São Paulo. According to the Covid-19 Analytics project, the state of São Paulo had a transmission rate of 1,19 on June 30th. With the easing of restrictions by Governor João Doria, this rate may have varied.

Therefore, it is important to advocate for a return to quarantine, with the federal and state governments taking the necessary measures to preserve jobs and the small and medium-sized businesses that are closing. More than 500 have already closed their doors.

To make matters worse, the Bolsonaro/Guedes administration is advocating for the end of the R$600 emergency aid approved by Congress. With unemployment and informal work at record highs, the non-payment of emergency aid could severely affect thousands of families who are already on the brink of survival.

In this context, where more than a thousand people die every day on average in the country, without a vaccine, with the Unified Health System (SUS) collapsed, the lack of mass testing, and the strong possibility of children becoming transmitters of the virus, the return to in-person classes is reckless.

Primarily because the state and municipal public education systems do not meet the conditions determined by the WHO and scientists to prevent the contamination of these children and young people in schools. Controlling the pandemic is essential.

It is humanly impossible to prevent younger children from having physical contact and to keep them wearing masks all the time. Even slightly older children find it difficult to stay distanced from their friends.

But most importantly, it's crucial to understand that schools lack the basic infrastructure for the necessary adaptations to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Entrances would need to be adapted to sanitize those entering the school, bathrooms should be fully functional with soap and toilet paper, water fountains sanitized, hand sanitizer available throughout the premises, and classrooms well-ventilated with adequate ventilation and space for the necessary social distancing.

Since public schools in São Paulo leave much to be desired in all these areas, the risks of contamination for teachers, other professionals, students, and their families are extremely high, and no one wants to be responsible for the increase in the number of illnesses and deaths. Common sense dictates that in-person classes should remain suspended until there is effective control of the pandemic or an effective vaccine.

Specifically regarding teachers in the official state education system of São Paulo, the government has an obligation to review temporary contracts and pay their salaries in full. These contracts are precarious. Without the same rights as permanent staff and with lower salaries, these professionals have their contracts suspended, receiving nothing from the state. The situation of so-called "substitute" teachers also requires attention. They are the ones who replace teachers who are absent due to health problems or who need to be absent from work on a particular day. These professionals cannot continue without receiving payment from the state.

The state government needs to hold public recruitment drives to meet the demand for public schools, but while that doesn't happen, it must honor its commitment to maintain the payment of temporary and "temporary" contract workers, in addition to extending all the labor rights of permanent employees to them.

That being said, it is crucial that we focus on remote teaching as a pedagogical support tool to meet the school's needs without jeopardizing the academic year. Since the remote teaching implemented by the São Paulo State Department of Education was done hastily, without dialogue or any technical preparation for the stakeholders, it is necessary to make adjustments that consider everyone, without pressure or excessive workload, listening to all parties to ensure that no student is left without classes.

It is essential that we take into account the conditions determined by the Labor Public Prosecutor's Office (MPT). First, it is necessary to establish dialogue with the representative bodies of the category, provide equipment and technical support to professionals, and structure the schools. And this demands a lot of time.

Any school activity, whether in person or digital, must take into account the basic principle of academic freedom and freedom of expression, both for those teaching the class and for the students.

Respect the work schedule and the necessary rest time between activities, whether for making videos or live remote classes.

As determined by the Public Prosecutor's Office for Labor (MPT): "The freedom to learn, teach, research and disseminate thought, art and knowledge, the pluralism of ideas and pedagogical conceptions, as well as the principle of valuing school education professionals, both provided for in article 206 of the 1988 Federal Constitution."

It is also important to take into account the profound socioeconomic and educational inequality in order to carry out work that includes everyone and does not privilege anyone. Knowing how to deal with the discrepancies between the sexes regarding domestic work, in which women work many more hours than men, resulting in a much greater workload, is also part of the context.

The Public Prosecutor's Office for Labor (MPT) notes that "the necessary measures must be taken by educational institutions to ensure compatibility between the professional and family lives of teachers working through virtual platforms, remote work, and/or home office; regulate the provision of services through virtual platforms, remote work, and/or home office during the period of Covid-19 pandemic containment measures, preferably through collective bargaining, collective agreements, and a written addendum to the employment contract with a fixed term, specifically addressing responsibility for the acquisition, maintenance, or provision of technological equipment and infrastructure for remote work."

In addition to all this, keeping salaries up to date, without cuts, and not pressuring professionals with goals that are counterproductive to the learning process are fundamental issues. Understanding remote teaching as circumstantial and maintaining all labor rights and respect for the human person, including those hired to replace permanent professionals for any reason, is the obligation of those in power.