Under the fire of criticism, the Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer declared, Tuesday January 18, “regret the symbolism” from his vacation in Ibiza, from where he announced the health protocol in schools before the start of the school year in January. “It turns out that the place I chose, I probably should have chosen another one. The symbolism, I regret it”, recognized the minister during the session of questions to the government in the National Assembly, the day after the revelation by Mediapart of the fact that he was on this holiday resort.
These revelations, confirmed by the ministry, have weakened the Minister of Education already undermined by a very popular strike last Thursday. The left called again for his resignation, while the teachers’ unions, outraged, pointed to a “terrible symbol”.
In his defense, Jean-Michel Blanquer asked three questions to the deputies: “Was I allowed to take a few days off after this year? Are there any meetings or items I had to do during this time that I didn’t do because of that? Of course not.” “And third, would the decisions have been different if I had been somewhere else?, he added.
“As for the rest, for two years with the majority, with my teams, with all the teachers in France, we have held the open school policy. That is what is essential, and let’s not get lost in the ‘accessory”, he added, posting these statements later on Twitter.
For 2 years, I have been working 7 days a week for the school management of the health crisis.
Thanks to the work of everyone, especially the teachers, France has been the country of open schools.
I took 5 days off. In connection every day with my ministry at the service of the school: pic.twitter.com/PErsKZWZpR— Jean-Michel Blanquer (@jmblanquer) January 18, 2022