Despite new restrictions across the country in France (including the curfew), schools will remain open and there are plans to test one million schoolchildren and teachers a month, French Education Minister Jean announced on Thursday -Michel Blanquer.
It is essential that schools remain open because there are psychological, health and educational consequences, “said Blanquer.
He said health measures will be strengthened during meals and that sports activities in enclosed spaces will be canceled.
Although schools have remained open for most of the pandemic, universities have shifted primarily to online learning.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday announced a gradual resumption of face-to-face teaching in universities, saying he appreciated the situation being “extremely difficult” for university students and their mental health.
College students “feel that the health crisis has robbed them of their best moments,” said French Higher Education Minister Frédérique Vidal, who echoed concerns expressed in the French media last week.
Starting Jan. 25, all freshmen will be allowed to attend seminars in smaller groups and the measure may later be extended to students of other years depending on the epidemic, Vidal said.
The government also announced measures to provide financial and psychological support to students.
These announcements come when the French government tightened restrictions nationwide, with the extension of a curfew from 6pm to 6am across the country.