Adrien Taquet, February 12, 2021. -

Christophe Ena / AP / SIPA

  • Unlike many of its European neighbors, France refuses to close its schools, even if now, the appearance of a case of Covid-19 in a classroom leads to its closure in the 19 most affected departments of the country.

  • The Secretary of State in charge of Children and Families, Adrien Taquet, returns for

    20 minutes 

    on the reasons for this decision.

This is one of the big questions of the week.

Faced with the worsening of the coronavirus epidemic in establishments, Jean-Michel Blanquer announced Friday that, in the 19 departments affected by the new restrictions, a single case of Covid-19 in a classroom will now result in its closure, against three so far.

This will automatically increase the number of students following homeschooling.

But unlike many of its European neighbors, France refuses to close its schools.

What medical and political voices are demanding, however, in the face of the health emergency.

The Secretary of State in charge of Children and Families, Adrien Taquet, returns for

20 minutes 

on the reasons for this decision.

France refuses to close its schools despite the deteriorating health situation.

Should this be seen as the desire to show political success, at a time when its management of the crisis is increasingly criticized?

Keeping schools open is a singularity that we claim, in the interest of children and their parents.

However, leaving schools open is not a challenge for the government.

This decision was made taking into account both educational and social parameters.

Do not underestimate the psychological distress of children and their parents.

It is important for children to be able to exchange ideas, build themselves up with others and not live inwardly.

The family cocoon must not turn into a closed room, neither for children nor for parents

.

Closing schools is not taboo, but it will be a decision of last resort.

Do you think that school is a place of protection for some children today?

School has always been a place to spot domestic violence.

However, these have increased since the start of the health crisis.

In the Nord department, for example, there is an increase of nearly 60% of worrying information compared to a typical month of 2019, as well as an increase of almost 25% of orders for provisional placements, still compared to in a typical month of 2019. And all the departments we surveyed note an increase in emergency placement measures and a greater seriousness of reports, due to domestic violence.

Do you think that extending distance schooling would also have consequences on children's mental health?

The challenge is to preserve educational equality as much as possible, but also the socialization of children.

Especially since the situation is already worrying: 40% of adolescents are currently in psychological distress, against 12% usually.

But classes must close from the first case of Covid-19.

Do we not risk ending up in confinement that does not say its name?

I'm not going to prejudge what will happen in the next few days.

But let's look at what's going on in Paris: last week, 170 classes were closed because of the coronavirus.

And Patrick Bloche, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of Education, said that with the new health protocol, he expects 200 additional closures this week, out of a total of 56,000 classes.

This health measure cannot be equated with confinement.

The fact that parents learn overnight that their child's class is shutting down can considerably complicate their daily lives.

Are you aware of it?

We are fully aware of this, but the evolution of the epidemic is forcing us to adapt health protocols in real time.

We of course make sure that parents are accompanied each time the class closes and that arrangements are in place to allow them to look after their children.

Employees in the private sector can thus benefit from the partial activity.

And the self-employed, liberal professions or health and contract workers can take sick leave if they cannot telework.

Are you not worried that some will hide the cases of Covid-19 in their families and still send their children to school?

This is because they are afraid of getting into trouble with their employer ...

We trust everyone to have a sense of responsibility.

It is by respecting the sanitary instructions that we will get out of this situation as quickly as possible.

Employers must also be understanding and reassure their employees.

The crisis has increased the number of poor families.

Will the government take new measures to help them soon?

From day one, the government has been fully mobilized alongside all the families who have been weakened by the crisis.

We need to be agile.

In the coming days, we will announce material assistance to the most precarious families, allowing them to have access to basic necessities.

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