Lice not only terrorize children, their parents, but also schools… It must be said that these small parasites are very invasive and difficult to eliminate despite treatment. In view of this observation, can schools legally expel children who have them?
Your child has just been returned to the family home for reasons of Pediculosis – understand, head lice infestation. Scandalized, you are indignant at such cruelty. Angry, your instinct as a protective parent then pushes you to ask yourself if such a procedure is possible and above all, if it is authorized by law.
The hair lice are the nightmare of many parents. Frequent, they are even the second most common disease in children! The reasons that frighten dads and moms? Their extreme contagiousness, and the difficulty of getting rid of them once they have settled on the skull of their offspring. Indeed, it is estimated that pediculosis affects nearly1 in 3 children 3 to 11 years old. And for good reason: the form of contagion is childishly simple: it is done either by direct contact, simply when an infected child is near another; either by indirect contact, through the use of objects that have touched the infected area and are themselves contaminated. Once the lice have settled, the females can lay up to 6 eggs daily which, once hatched after 10 days, can themselves lay nits… And so on. A real vicious circle that seems difficult to stop.
Imagine then the carnage in the playground with only one infected child… All it takes is one contact between two children and the whole school has to be treated! This is why it is not insignificant to see certain establishments temporarily sending children home. But is it legal?
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Lice at school: what does the law say?
Obviously, the theme is debated, especially among the main stakeholders: the parents. Many parenting forums have already seen fathers and mothers tear each other apart on this subject. If some are outraged that such a decision is possible, others find it normal. But you have to refer to a official text dating from May 3, 1989 to get the exact answer. This government decree, which concerns “durations and conditions of eviction, prophylactic measures to be taken with regard to pupils and staff in public and private teaching and educational establishments in the event of contagious diseases”even has a chapter dedicated to pediculosis !
It says black on white: “no eviction if treatment”. Thus, the government is clear: it is not necessary to send the child home if he is affected by an infestation of head lice but thathe takes care of her and that he treats her. Admittedly, it is impossible to verify whether or not a treatment has actually been started; everything depends on the good faith of the parents. But it is assumed that no parent would let their child suffer even from “simple” irritation or itching. Of course, it goes without saying, the teaching staff must put the proper forms in it: they must not point the finger at “hygiene” or involuntarily humiliate the child. Many establishments choose towrite a note to parents. Another official text from 2003, issued by the Superior Council of Public Hygiene of Francegoes in this direction: according to the latter, it is necessary “that the parents are notified in writing, by the head of the establishment or by the person in charge of the group of children, so that the other members of the family, including the parents, are examined and that only those who are parasitized are treated.”
All in all, denying a child access to school because of pediculosis is not a way of looking for lice in the parents… But of stemming them so that they are not on other people’s heads. children !