Despite new nationwide restrictions in France – including a curfew – schools will remain open and there are plans to test one million schoolchildren and teachers a month, French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer announced on Thursday. .
It is essential that schools remain open because of psychological, health and educational consequences, ”Blanquer said.
He said health measures during mealtimes would be strengthened and that sports activities in enclosed spaces would be canceled.
Although schools remained open for most of the pandemic, universities mainly switched to online learning.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday announced a gradual resumption of personal teaching at universities, saying he appreciated the situation was “extremely difficult” for university students and their mental health.
University students “feel that the health crisis has stolen their best moments”, said French Higher Education Minister Frédérique Vidal, expressing concern expressed in the French media over the past week.
All first-year students will be allowed to attend seminars in smaller groups from January 25, and the measure could later be extended to other students as well, depending on the epidemic, Vidal said.
The government has also announced measures to provide economic and psychological support to students.
These announcements come as the French government tightens restrictions nationally, extending a curfew from 6pm to 6pm across the country.