Words are harsh, Tuesday, January 11, at the end of the questioning session to the government in the National Assembly. Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of National Education, “organize chaos at school”, affirms for example Fabien Roussel. For the Communist candidate for the presidential election, theat back to school in January is characterized by “unpreparedness” and “DIY. It’s shame”.
An anger that seems shared by the majority of school staff: 75% of strikers are announced in the National Education and half of the schools should be closed Thursday. Teacher unions are calling for a strike to protest against the management of the Covid-19 epidemic at school. The socialist deputy Valérie Rabault even believes that we should expect a mobilization never seen since May-68.
In the camp of the right, we are not more tender. For the vice-president of the Republicans of the National Assembly, Annie genevard, “It is clear that the organization of the start of the school year has turned out to be catastrophic”. For the leader of LR deputies, Damien Abad, “It is a humiliation for Mr. Blanquer to have been disowned directly by the Prime Minister on the health protocol, which had been put in place 24 hours before the start of the school year.” Jean Castex has indeed announced a relaxation of health rules at school, Monday during the 20 hours television news of France 2.
The situation even pushes some elected opposition members to demand the resignation of Jean-Michel Blanquer. “If you want to regain some credibility, now would be the time to go, I think”, says for example the deputy La France rebellious Ugo Bernalicis. “Finally, they are still able to find another which is worse “, he quips.
In the ranks of the majority, we want to remain calm, like the deputy for Eure Bruno Questel: “The right to strike is a constitutional right. It must be respected, whatever the calendar. I will not make a judgment of expediency, even if I have my little idea.” The strike of this Thursday, January 13 risks in any case further weakening the Minister of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer. And his message to the strikers, Tuesday (“We do not strike against a virus”), is not necessarily the best way to spare the critics.