A "learning" but not "austere" vacation: this is what the government offers to a million children. Gabriel Attal, Secretary of State for Youth, Julien Denormandie, Minister responsible for the City and Housing and Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister for National Education presented on Saturday morning a set of measures intended for the education of the youngest this summer. An envelope of 200 million euros is dedicated to this project, which should make it possible to fill the gaps created during the coronavirus epidemic.
Open schools and "learning" summer camps
Students must first catch up on the backlog accumulated during confinement, so schools will remain open this summer for 400,000 children. This figure is five times higher than in previous years. In the 2,500 establishments that will not close their doors, school reinforcement will be offered in the morning and more fun activities in the afternoon.
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The government also sets up, on the same principle, learning summer camps for 250,000 students. Jean-Michel Blanquer wants to reassure them: these projects are also moments of relaxation. "You can do tree climbing in English, you can go swimming having first made a computer program that prepares you for the beach, in short things can be quite clever on this subject," he illustrates.
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Around 50,000 young people under the age of 17 are also called upon to do "truancy" this summer, "in the countryside or in the coastal area to discover nature and local heritage".
Aid for going on vacation
The minister wishes to reassure the students: "Far from us the idea of having an austere vacation, it is quite the opposite we do not intend to put everyone seated on a chair from July 1 to 30 August". These learning vacations must be a means, according to Jean-Michel Blanquer, of fighting against inequalities.
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While one child in three does not go on vacation, the government also wants to help parents for whom confinement has been difficult, particularly for hospital and medico-social workers. In addition to the holiday vouchers of 300 euros, 50,000 of them will be able to benefit from assistance in leaving with their families.