- Jean-Michel Blanquer was appointed Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports on Monday in the new government of Jean Castex.
- A promotion for the one who remains a popular minister, despite his contested management of National Education during the health crisis.
It is a new victory for Jean-Michel Blanquer. Not only did he stay on rue de Grenelle, but he expanded his portfolio. He was appointed Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports on Monday in the new government of Jean Castex. He will be supported in his mission by Roxana Maracineanu, hitherto in charge of the Ministry of Sports, and who is in fact demoted.
The sign of Emmanuel Macron's renewed confidence in Jean-Michel Blanquer. And this, despite the criticisms formulated on its management of the aspect of the health crisis. Because he multiplied the hasty remarks on deconfinement, was sometimes perceived as a man kept away from decisions relating to his own ministry, and imposed directives on the heads of establishments which seemed incompatible with certain realities on the ground. During this period, his relations with the teachers' unions became considerably strained and the educational community also resented him for not having condemned firmly enough the "prof bashing" who flourished in media editorials.
Popular with the French
But if we look at the glass half full, Jean-Michel Blanquer can also pride himself on having put back in class, even for a few days before the end of the summer, more than 80% of schoolchildren and 75% of middle school students . By defying the critics and advancing headlong, sure that History would prove him right. He can also assert certain strong measures since his arrival on rue de Grenelle, such as the duplication of CP and CE1 classes in disadvantaged neighborhoods, the possibility for municipalities to return to the four-day week, the ban on cell phones at college , bac reform, compulsory schooling from 3 years old…
To keep the good graces of Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Michel Blanquer has also been able to capitalize on his good image with the general public, who appreciates his very clear and willingly reformist vision of education. Moreover, according to an Ifop poll for the JDD published Sunday, 44% of the French wanted to see Jean-Michel Blanquer continue in the role of Minister of National Education. A well-established popularity, even if it is less strong among French people of childbearing age, because only 38% of 25-34 year olds and 35-49 year olds wanted to see Jean-Michel Blanquer renewed. Knowing that the latter were put to the test during confinement and did not necessarily understand the sometimes blurred communication of the Minister on the resumption of class.
The pursuit of his educational project
Impossible, therefore, to exclude from government the fourth favorite minister of the French, according to Ifop. But if these last days, rumors reported a nomination of Jean-Michel Blanquer to the Interior, it has not been (it is ultimately Gérald Darmanin who moved to Place Beauvau). Undoubtedly because to move it from the rank of experts from civil society to that of political figures capable of changing morocco according to the reshuffles was a little risky. The tenant on rue de Grenelle, already in office for three years, could finally stay there until the end of the five-year term. Which would be a record.
Staying on rue de Grenelle will not be a long, peaceful river for him. Because it will have to set up devices at the start of the school year to support students who have accumulated a delay in school in the last months. It will also have to move forward on the upgrading of teachers' salaries and put the reform of the school back on track. But driving Youth and Sports will also give him the opportunity to develop his educational program. Because one of his old fads is to lead the school to a German model, with class in the morning and activities in the afternoon.
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- Education
- Jean Castex
- Reshuffle
- Jean-Michel Blanquer