Despite the resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic in France, the Minister of National Education has swept aside any postponement of the start of the new school year, scheduled for Tuesday, September 1. The mask will be made compulsory for middle and high school students.

With two weeks to go before the start of the new school year, the Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, has confirmed that he will not postpone the return to school because of the Covid-19 crisis. Despite what some teachers’ unions have been calling for in recent days.

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“No, postponing the start of the new school year is not an option,” Jean-Michel Blanquer said Thursday evening on TV channel France 2.

“Education is not something you can regulate. We need more education. There may be local exceptions. The protocol drawn up in July allows us to ensure the protection of all and the education of all.”

“Special arrangements” in Paris or in the Bouches-du-Rhône?

“Sometimes it will be necessary for local authorities, directors of regional health agencies and education officers to work together to adapt to each local situation, resulting from the changing nature of the health situation,” the minister said in a message addressed to national education staff.

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“For example, as we speak, there may be special measures for Paris or the Bouches-du-Rhône (southern France), where the virus is circulating more widely,” Jean-Michel Blanquer added in a video accompanying his text.

Mask compulsory in middle and high school

The wearing of masks for children under the age of 11 should not be made compulsory.

However, it will be mandatory “in any situation” for middle and high school students. And “we will provide masks to children if needed,” he added.

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In July, the Ministry of Health had relaxed the sanitary measures for the return to school in September, “in view of the positive evolution of the situation”.

According to the guidelines, the physical distance of one metre should therefore no longer be compulsory in schools in September. And schools will have to “guarantee that they accommodate all pupils” as “in the usual period”.