France: what selection of students for resuming lessons?

Text by: RFI Follow

In France, the resumption of primary schooling extends until Thursday depending on the city. To respond to hygiene measures, not all students can return to class despite the wishes of the parents. School principals had to designate priority children. Testimony of a director of an elementary school in a working-class district in the North of Paris, placed in the Priority Education Network (REP).

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Of the 250 students enrolled in this school, only 50 will be able to be accommodated from this Thursday. Beyond that, it is impossible to apply the new traffic rules, to adapt the canteen and the leisure times.

To make the selection, this director, who answers anonymously to RFI, had to follow a directive established by the rectorate and the town hall of Paris.

It was necessary to take into account “  both the parents' profession and, moreover, all the children with academic difficulties, those who were unable to contact during this month and a half of confinement,  ” specifies the official.

Each teacher had identified 2 to 3 pupils in great difficulty in their class. Some housed in social hotels, deprived of computers. But not everyone will be able to return to school. It is especially the job of their parents that is decisive.

"  The goal of this restart is that the company will start up again little by little and effectively the children of a person who works at the SNCF, at the RATP, the teachers, the firemen, the police are absolutely priority  " , he adds.

► Also read: Deconfinement in France: schools reopen very partially

200 children will therefore continue school at a distance. Half of the teachers will take care of it. Some parents will therefore find themselves in very complex situations. The director is well aware of this.

"  It's hard to hear when your company or your party tells you,  " You have to come back to work. Well yes, but we can't take everyone back  , "he says.

A progress point will be made on May 25, the school may then be able to open its doors further.

■ The hassle of parents without a school

In Paris, it is Thursday that part of the students will find their classes. If in some schools students are scarce - parents are afraid for their health and the means to keep them at home -, in others, this limitation causes frustrations and complex situations. Lise and her husband did not meet the selection criteria, while she runs a crèche. Their 7 year old son Hyppolite will therefore not be able to return to CP class.

Suddenly, that's it, schools and day nurseries are reopening, so we are supposed to be able to work full time, but that is not at all the case. In fact, there are only priority children ...

The testimony of Lise, a mother who will not be able to send her child to school

Marie Casadebaig

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