Although it is still too early to determine whether the start of the school year in September can take place “normally”, the executive is in favor of the gradual easing of the health protocol in force in the establishments. An initiative already taken by private Catholic education under contract.
Does the government intend to let go of ballast in the coming weeks in terms of preventive measures in schools? This is what the Minister of National Education suggested on June 6. “We are watching the evolution of the epidemic, and, depending on that, we are changing the rules. But, indeed, given the current trend, I hope that by the end of June we will have been able to lighten the health protocol”said Jean-Michel Blanquer on BFM TV.
A will reaffirmed by Jean-François Delfraissy, the president of the Scientific Council, in the columns of the Sunday newspaper June 7. “Even by continuing to respect somewhat heavy rules, we could simplify them in extracurricular activities by the end of June: during meals, recreation or sport”, he advanced. The doctor specifies that his team, responsible for informing the public decision, will work in the month on the question of the start of the school year in September. Objective: to determine how the 63-page protocol in force for the coming months “could be a little simplified, streamlined, in the light of current knowledge”.
“As soon as a rule is no longer written, it is repealed”
Although the relaxation of the rules established in schools is not yet topical, private Catholic education under contract has already undertaken to relax them. At issue: the circular entitled “second phase of reopening of schools and establishments”, published on June 4 in the official bulletin of National Education. Contrary to the first circular, “reopening of schools and educational establishments”published a month earlier, the text does not specify that only a maximum of 15 students can attend classes simultaneously.
Thus, the General Secretariat for Catholic Education (Sgec) wrote during the day to all school heads to inform them that they could now accommodate more than 15 children per class. “From the moment a rule is no longer written, it is abrogatedbelieves Yann Diraison, assistant at Sgec, interviewed by AFP, whose Le Figaro echoes. Our establishments are facing terrible pressure from parents who want to put their children back in school and who cannot. due to the very strict protocol that governs reopenings.
“You must not go faster than the music”
A “extensive interpretation”according to Jean-Michel Blanquer, who recalled June 6 on franceinfo that it was a “error”needing to be “corrected” by the Sgec. “That this could happen in a short time, I am the first to wish it, I am the first to wish that as soon as possible we return to normal, but we must not go faster than the musicinsisted Jean-Michel Blanquer. It’s true that what I’ve been saying and writing lately is to go in the direction of a relaxation, but it’s step by step, there’s no point in anticipating at this stage”.
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