The Minister of National Education is counting on the multiplication of tests for students, a strong incentive to vaccinate 5-11 year olds and a call to mayors to provide their schools with CO2 sensors.
A new health protocol for a return to the heart of the fifth wave. In an interview with Parisian , the Minister of National Education outlined the new measures that will come into force on Monday, January 3 in schools to better fight against the spread of the virus while limiting class closures. While France is experiencing record contamination rates, the minister is planning on a daily assessment of “several thousand students»Tested positive at the start of the school year. In this context, the objective is clear: “keep the school open in health conditions that are as secure as possible“.
- Three possible tests per student
The first flagship measure of this new protocol, the strengthening of “contact tracing“. The government sees it as the most effective way to fight against the Omicron variant, which is particularly contagious and is now the majority in France. This reinforced policy “will involve the multiplication of tests and the participation of families in this system based on accountability», Indicated Jean-Michel Blanquer.
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The last protocol in force provided that as soon as a positive case appeared in a class, all the students underwent an antigen test or PCR, and presented a negative result to return to school. This measure remains in force, but now, “when the family takes the first test, they will receive two free self-tests at the pharmacy, so that the students can test themselves again at home on D + 2 and D + 4», Explains the minister. A measure that aims to better take into account the incubation period, while the virus, once transmitted, can take between three and five days before triggering the first symptoms.
In addition, to better control and empower parents, the latter “must certify in writing that the tests have been carried out and that they are negative», Explains the minister. To ensure sufficient stocks of self-tests, which are in great demand for the holiday season, “massive orders have been placed, in connection with the Ministry of Health“.
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Another point that worries the education sector: the absenteeism of teachers, subject to the same rules of strict isolation as the rest of the population in the event of contamination or contact with a positive person. According to estimates by the Scientific Council, 30% of teachers could be positive cases or in custody of infected children at the start of the school year. Admitting that the month of January is shaping up to be “tense“, Jean-Michel Blanquer announces that”vaccinated adults will apply the same iterative testing protocolThan that of children. A measure that will prevent the “isolation of people who test negative“, According to the minister.
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Another measure to reduce the risk of massive absence is the suspension of any cause of absence other than illness, “for example, continuing education», Details the Minister. This measure will be doubled by recruitment “contract workers and contractors“. In the first degree, the replacement capacity will thus pass “from 9% to 12-15% depending on the academies», He assures us.
- Facilitate the vaccination campaign in schools
When vaccination was opened to adolescents last July, middle and high schools had set up vaccination centers within their structures. While the vaccine has just been opened to all children from 5 years old, the minister affirms that “each school is matched with a vaccination center“, But that there”will not have barnum in schools as was the case for middle and high schools“. For the little ones, “messages go to school leaders and teachers“To explain the methods of vaccination, even if, recalls the Minister of National Education, they are”families who intend to make an appointment and accompany the children“. Moreover, he recalls, “parental permissionWill be necessary in all cases.
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Faced with the voices, especially on the right, which advocate the use of FFP2 masks, popular with our European neighbors, the minister rejects this option, arguing that it is “very difficult to teachWith these. L'”teachers’ spirit of responsibility“And the application of”barrier gesturesAre enough, he assures us.
- No more standing cafes in the teachers’ room, fewer gatherings
Jean Castex had announced, from Monday, January 3, the ban on drinking standing in bars and cafes, generating many taunts. However, the teachers’ rooms will not escape the rule: it will be forbidden to drink coffee there other than in a sitting position. “It is a consequence of the general doctrine“Evaded the minister, questioned on the usefulness of such a measure. “But it’s anecdotal, we focus on it to ironize the management of the crisis“, He defended himself. In addition, no galettes des rois, greeting ceremonies or class councils to start 2022. “Parent-teacher meetings will be held remotely“, Invites the minister.
- Deployment of CO₂ sensors
Asked about the possibility of accentuating the ventilation of the classes by CO₂ sensors, Jean-Michel Blanquer recalled that it was a “authority of communities“. “This remains totally insufficient“, He lamented, stressing that the State has”released 20 million eurosTo give a boost in this direction. “I appeal again to the mayors for a ramp-up in this area, and this fund will be increased if necessary.», He promises.
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