Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for your letter of March 10, 2022 relating to the situation of the French School of Moscow in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the application of the European sanctions adopted as a result, the scarcity of air links and the toughening of Russian criminal law, including against foreign nationals, imposed on the French authorities to call on the French community in Russia to show increased vigilance. The government has therefore decided to urge French nationals, whose presence and that of their families is not essential in Russia, to leave the country, as long as this is still possible.
As a result of this recommendation, the Agency for the Teaching of French Abroad (AEFE) has decided to postpone the start of the school year for 15 days at the French School in Moscow, i.e. at the beginning of April. A reassessment of this measure taken as a precautionary measure will be carried out in the days preceding. In this context, the French staff of the French Lycée in Moscow have been asked to temporarily leave Russia.
It follows from the above that the French School of Moscow is not closing and that the objective is to be able to resume classes, face-to-face, from April 1. In addition, teaching will resume online on March 15, as has already been done several times throughout the network of French education abroad for two years in the context of the health crisis. The experience acquired by the teachers, who will benefit from the reinforced support and expertise of the AEFE, will make it possible to offer the best possible conditions to the students to continue their French education.
With regard to the teaching provided online by the staff of the school, it will remain in accordance with the criteria of the approval issued by the French Ministry of National Education. The AEFE, in constant contact with the Ministry of National Education, will make every effort to enable students attending the French Lycée in Moscow to take exams and certifications in the best possible conditions, both learning and organizational. . They will also be able to benefit from support and dedicated advice for their orientation.
In general, I would like to emphasize that I unreservedly share your attachment to the French School of Moscow. In this complicated context, rest assured that the AEFE, under the leadership of my ministry and the French Embassy, will do everything to limit the impact on your children’s education. It will pay particular attention to families who may find themselves in difficulty.
My warmest thoughts go to the school staff, teachers and non-teachers, whose mobilization in favor of the students is absolute. For many who have been living in Moscow for a long time, many families are going through very difficult times. I am fully aware of this and I renew to them, to all of them, my support and my solidarity.
Please accept, Ladies and Gentlemen, the assurance of my best feelings (by hand: and cordial).
Jean-Yves LE DRIAN
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