During his televised address on June 14, Emmanuel Macron announced the “mandatory” return to class for middle and high school students. Due to the “school attendance obligation”, the parents of pupils may expose themselves to criminal sanctions if their children do not return to school.
What does Emmanuel Macron mean by character? “mandatory” the return to class of all schoolchildren and college students in France from June 22? The fact, quite simply, that there is no possible derogation from the resumption of classes for the children and adolescents concerned. Fear of contamination with Covid-19, stay away from one’s place of residence… No excuse is valid to depart from the rule. As if the health crisis had not taken place, in short.
As pointed out franceinfo, this is explained by the obligation of school attendance. According to the lawthe only reasons justifying an absence are: “an illness of the child, a communicable or contagious illness of a member of the family, a solemn family reunion, an impediment resulting from the accidental difficulty of communications, and a temporary absence of responsible persons when the children follow them”.
Up to two years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros
If a pupil has missed class without a legitimate reason for at least four half-days in the month, the director of the establishment is entitled to contact the State authority competent in matters of education to send a warning to those responsible for the child. The same rule prevails in the event that the latter have not made known the reasons for absence or communicated inaccurate justifications, despite reminders from the establishment.
For those responsible for the child to incur criminal sanctions, the situation would have to escalate. For example, this could result in the persistence of poor attendance despite repeated attempts at remediation and dialogue with the family. “The academy inspector-academic director of the national education services can seize the public prosecutor who will judge the follow-up to be given”, indicates the Ministry of National Education.
It can be a fine for 4th class fines. In the most serious cases, the penalties can go up to imprisonment for a maximum of two years and a fine of 30,000 euros. In question: the assimilation to an educational deficiency on the part of the parents.
Too short a time to change teaching mode
As a reminder, the recognition of “lack of attendance” stems from the compulsory nature of education for children aged 6 to 16 years. It must be clearly distinguished from enrollment in a school, since it is possible that the instruction is provided by the family. These students who benefit from homeschooling are therefore not affected by Emmanuel Macron’s announcement.
As franceinfo notes, while it is possible to change the mode of teaching during the year, the deadline seems too short to set up home instruction for the last two weeks of class. Indeed, this would first involve making a declaration to the mayor as well as to the competent State authority in matters of education within eight days of the change in choice of instruction, according to the law. According to our colleagues, the town hall should then carry out an investigation to control the conditions of home education and the academic inspection would carry out an educational follow-up.
.
