Queen Máxima of the Netherlands paid a working visit to Christian Primary School (CBS) Sabina van Egmond in Oud-Beijerland on Thursday. The Queen spoke to teachers, parents and students about the effect COVID-19 has had on the primary education system.
The school has two locations, and Her Majesty visited the Sportlaan location while speaking via video call to those at the Poortwijk location.
Queen Máxima learned from teachers about how they have worked with distance learning and the schools’ opening and closing. She also spoke to the students from group three and the students in online groups five and six. They told her about their perspective of online school during the lockdown and how they felt about getting to go back to in-person classes.
The Queen also talked to pupils from groups seven and eight who explained their preparations for the Cito test and the next step in their education. These students will have to be prepared for online classes once they reach secondary school, as those institutions are not allowed to currently meet in person.
Before leaving CBS, Her Majesty attended a roundtable discussion with parents who explained how they are dealing with the pandemic – including combining their work with helping their children with digital learning. She also learned about the experiences of the Participation Council of CBS Sabina van Egmond.
CBS has 350 students, 36 teachers and 15 groups; the school works in units instead of the traditional year groups. It also served as an emergency shelter during the lockdown, and vulnerable children were taught at the school if teachers felt homeschooling would not be good for the pupils.
Lockdowns for primary schools in the Netherlands began 16 December and ended on 8 February.
