In a joint statement sent to Delano on Friday, the two school directors, Martin Wedel and Per Frithiofson wrote that during its last meeting the board of governors decided to cancel the two exams and base students’ final mark on their A and B marks.  

In relation to a potential re-opening, they said no decision had yet been made.

They wrote:

“Possible developments are being analysed internally by taking into account the current situation and health recommendations to deal with covid-19, the specificities of the European Schools, the pedagogical welfare and needs of our pupils and students, as well as, decisions taken at national level, while focusing on maintaining the interests and safety of our pupils, students and other users of our facilities by involving in this process all the relevant stakeholders for the smooth running of the European Schools.

In a concern of respect for our parents and all the users of our schools, however, no information on our strategy will be disseminated to third parties before such information has been shared internally with the relevant stakeholders. For the time being no decision has been taken yet.”

The European Schools were among the first in the country to ask parents of families who had travelled to coronavirus struck areas in Asia and Italy during the February half term holiday to self-quarantine.

All schools and crèche facilities in Luxembourg have been closed since 16 March as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Public schools will reopen in a phased approach from 4 May, starting with college final year students. High school classes will restart on 11 May, and primary and crèches from 25 May. Classes will be split into two, with half the group alternative with a week in school and a week of homeschool in order to respect social distancing rules.