Lionel Gougelot/Photo credits: FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP 7:56 a.m., March 11, 2024

Five months after the death of Dominique Bernard, French teacher at the Gambetta high school in Arras, killed by a terrorist, the teaching team is still in shock.

In the ranks of teachers, stoppages are increasing as life tries to resume its course, despite concerns.

Silence and meditation in Arras.

This Monday, it is at the Citadel, in front of 600 guests, that the national tribute to the victims of terrorism will be celebrated.

A city marked five months ago by the death of Dominique Bernard, a teacher at Gambetta high school, murdered by a terrorist and former student of the establishment. 

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Teachers on leave

Although time has passed since then, the educational team remains traumatized.

History and geography teacher, Sophie Dumont still keeps these minutes of terror experienced at the Gambetta high school engraved in her memory.

“We are trying to move forward, to do our job but it’s complicated,” she admits at the microphone of Europe 1. 

“There are a lot of colleagues on sick leave and I myself have been on sick leave at certain times. We have colleagues who are part-time in therapy for example. In short, we try to put on a good face,” underlines -she.

In addition to the trauma, there is now a permanent feeling of insecurity. 

“We don’t know at all how security is ensured”

"We're afraid. We're afraid when there are parent-teacher meetings. There, we're going to have open days. We're afraid, everyone comes home, it's normal, it's a high school. We don't "I don't know at all how security is ensured," insists the teacher. 

Since the attack, the rectorate has put in place a psychological and material support system for teachers who, for example, would like to be transferred.

“The colleges that contact us, we redirect them towards the services of the rectorate so that they can be supported individually, psychologically and in the context of a work accident. This is why it is important that we can support as many colleagues as possible who could slip through the cracks,” judges Benoît Tony, academic president of the National Union of High Schools and Colleges.

Support which will undoubtedly extend over months, even years.