Back to school: in the face of criticism, Jean-Michel Blanquer defends his record
The Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Jean-Michel Blanquer, greets journalists as he leaves the Council of Ministers, July 28, 2021 on the steps of the Elysée Palace Bertrand GUAY AFP / Archives
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3 min
Today is the return to school for teachers.
This new school year also marks the home stretch for Jean-Michel Blanquer at the head of National Education at the end of his five-year term, after four years and three months spent in rue de Grenelle, one of the longest courses in history. to this post.
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After three years of drastic reforms which have alienated part of the teaching staff,
the minister
, reappointed a year ago with an enlarged scope, will once again have to manage a delicate return to school.
The minister does not wish to dwell on
the health crisis
, he promises a serene return to school by keeping schools open as much as possible.
Wearing the mask
The health pass will not be compulsory to go to school. Classes will take place face-to-face with ventilation of the classes and the wearing of a mask will be compulsory for schoolchildren, middle school and high school students in closed spaces. In addition, it will be necessary to limit the mixing between students. Sports activities will therefore have to be adapted so that students can keep a certain physical distance between them. And like last year, if a student tests positive for Covid-19, their class will close for seven days.
To the accusations of denial in the face of the health situation
formulated by the unions
, Jean-Michel Blanquer prefers to discuss his record.
It therefore lists the reforms, launched in four years: from "
duplication
" of classes in primary to the transformation of the high school through compulsory school at 3 years old, assessments at all levels of schooling, or even education. overhaul of the baccalaureate.
► Read also: Back to school in France: the health protocol does not convince the teaching unions
Minister Blanquer's record, he said, will be a school in deep transformation and on the right track.
The teachers' unions, them, accuse him of having multiplied on the reform front of the passages in force without any discussion.
In this return, Jean-Michel Blanquer therefore takes care of his communication and announces a campaign on secularism.
School observers say that if Jean-Michel Blanquer has won a political base by making secularism his hobbyhorse, it is because he is addressing the general public much more than the teaching world.
And this, eight months before the presidential election.
►
To read also: Back to school in France: concern of the main union of primary teachers
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