This Monday, 120,000 pupils from the sixth year of primary and the end of secondary school return to school.
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LThe Minister of Education in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation spoke on Monday morning of “a very different, partial, progressive return to school” at the microphone of our colleagues from BelRTL.
This Monday, May 18, 120,000 students in primary six and end of secondary school find the school they left on March 6. The minister says: “All the schools have been served in masks.” “It was our top priority that all schools could be delivered on time since this was a condition for reopening. Fabric masks which must, the minister specifies, be maintained and washed by parents and students since hygiene regulations must be observed. Regarding health measures, the minister insisted: “A sick child is not put in school and their doctor is called so that they can be tested. If he becomes ill at school, the parents will be contacted directly and he will be put in an infirmary with a teacher who will have all the necessary precautions. “
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Not all schools reopen
“The networks have announced between 50 and 60% attendance rate for the sixth primary and more for the secondary. We will see at the end of the day for a more precise assessment, “explains Caroline Désir on Bel RTL, according to whom it is above all the restoration of social ties that is targeted by the start of the school year. “You have to realize that part of the population is still very worried about the virus, you have to understand and reassure them. But it’s not an opening à la carte, it’s part of the strategy. And I am very attached to what all the schools open. Sometimes the size of the schools does not allow us to respect certain instructions and I do not throw a stone at those who do not reopen but we will find solutions so that these schools can reopen. “
With regard to child care, the Minister stresses the importance of anticipation. “There is a clear priority for people who have to go to their place of work. Schools are asking parents to notify so that daycare can be organized. Parents must understand that we must be able to control the children present at school, “said the minister. “We will try never to refuse a child but we must anticipate so that a school is not overwhelmed by the demands. If we see many requests, then we can ask for external aid, via the municipality for example. “
Kindergarten
Next Monday, primary and secondary students as well as high school students are also expected to head to school. “We are going to take stock with all the actors, starting on Wednesday, to see if they can resume. If it is difficult at the organizational level, one can imagine postponing for a week. We will only resume if the first phase has gone well. It’s complicated in terms of organization in schools and for parents. But you have to understand that it is progressive. “
The Minister also mentioned the resumption of classes in kindergarten. “Parents need to breathe. I would like to put on the table the debate on the reopening of nursery schools. Some children have had more contact than with their family unit. I would be in favor of a return. “
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