Masks, compensation: Jean-Michel Blanquer specifies the terms of a return to school unlike any other

The Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, during his back-to-school press conference, Wednesday, August 26. Alain JOCARD / AFP

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All adults will be required to wear a mask at school, including kindergarten teachers. This is notably what the Minister of Education announced on Wednesday, August 26, during his back-to-school press conference.

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“  In July, we had considered some exceptions, but we preferred not to maintain these exceptions. All adults wear the mask and children wear it from the 6th grade onwards,  ”explained Jean-Michel Blanquer.

The health protocol, drawn up in July before the epidemic rebound, "  is simple and clear, it is not intended in its main principles to vary  ", also declared the Minister of Education. Relaxed to allow the re-entry of all French students next Tuesday, this protocol was simply varied last week to impose the wearing of a mask from college.

"  There may be, depending on the evolution of the situation, adaptations  ", repeated the Minister, referring to " targeted  " measures  on a particular territory after decision of the rectors, prefects and regional health authorities. "  If there were to be hybrid measures  ", that is to say distance education combined with physical education, or "  containment, we stand ready,  " said Blanquer. But for this return, "  we are not there  ".

A bonus of € 450 for directors

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer also announced on Wednesday that an exceptional allowance of 450 euros would be paid to school principals by the end of the year. "  School principals, we must help and support them  ," said the minister. This requires a reduction in administrative tasks but also greater financial recognition.  This bonus had been decided in early July but its amount was not known.

Jean-Michel Blanquer also insisted on Wednesday on the importance of raising the salaries of teachers. "  With the approval of the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic, we have prepared a budget for 2021 which will enable us to devote an average of 400 million euros for next year to improving the remuneration of teachers  ", he announced. Last year, the minister announced his intention to devote 500 million euros to these revaluations for 2021.

(  With AFP  )

►Also: Jean-Michel Blanquer on RFI: "We are facing a global educational disaster"

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