German State Shifts to Remote Learning and Warns of Ice Hazards

The government of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany announced that all schools in the state will operate under a remote learning system on Monday due to icy road conditions caused by Winter Storm Ellie and adverse weather.

An official statement emphasized that the safety of students is the top priority, noting that schools will remain open only to provide emergency care for students who cannot be looked after at home during the severe weather.

This decision comes alongside strict warnings from the German Weather Service about the possibility of freezing rain, which could create icy road surfaces in the morning, making them extremely slippery and posing risks to students and other road users.

Schools in the state had already experienced low attendance last week due to the storm’s impact, prompting some to give families the discretion to decide whether to send their children to school or keep them at home based on their own assessment of road safety.

These measures are part of ongoing efforts to respond to the severe winter weather affecting large parts of Germany, with authorities working to ensure student safety and maintain educational continuity despite challenging conditions.

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