That politics is not necessarily a straight line is one thing, but when it becomes such a mess, it frankly leaves one dreaming. In this case, the statements from both sides show two truths, but what importance does it have in the end?
Who can think that a citizen, one of those who claim their normality and democracy as representing the general interest, can identify with what has happened?
Did it occur to any of the protagonists that children and their parents are asking for a clear and straightforward answer on what will happen next September for the back to school period?
Between tight schedules and misplaced egos, there are no answers! And if instead of tweeting (the current fad), we talked to each other to explain ourselves…
Then we wonder about anti-politics and regret that people don’t vote anymore.
For whom? Why? Come on, a little self-respect!
The Ministry of National Education’s website published the following statement yesterday: “George Pau-Langevin, Deputy Minister for Educational Success, today met with the elected officials of the Nice metropolis, organized at the request of Christian Estrosi at the prefectural palace.
The Mayor of Nice requested an audience late yesterday evening (editor’s note: the day before yesterday) with Vincent Peillon, Minister of National Education, on the implementation of new school rhythms. The minister’s busy schedule, dedicated to tackling school dropout and visiting with George Pau-Langevin at Lycée Magnan, did not allow for this meeting this morning. That is why the deputy minister for educational success interrupted her visit to meet with the Mayor of Nice and the Nice officials, in the presence of the DASEN and the secretary general of the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture. Madam Pau-Langevin attended the meeting, and Mr. Estrosi did not come. It is a very rare republican discourtesy in the country. I am very hurt by it.”
In turn, Christian ESTROSI, Former Minister, Deputy Mayor of Nice, Vice-President of the AMF, Eric CIOTTI, President of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes (editor’s note: His presence is a surprise since, the day before yesterday, and for reasons other than this one, he had already declared that he would not have met the Minister), Louis NEGRE, Senator-Mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer, Rudy SALLES, Deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes, Deputy Mayor of Nice denounced a partisan visit and a lack of republican courtesy from the Minister of National Education:
“With a delegation of mayors from the department and the Metropolis, we had obtained an audience with the Minister of National Education on the subject of the reform of school rhythms which is causing great concern among mayors, parents of students, and the educational community.
Today (editor’s note: yesterday), we learn that this audience is refused by the Minister of National Education while he is in the 5th largest city in France, of which Christian ESTROSI is nonetheless the Mayor, under the pretext of a constrained schedule. He therefore refuses an audience with parliamentarians, mayors, elected officials of the city, the Metropolis, and the department.
Yet the Minister finds time to devote to the socialist candidate for the upcoming municipal elections on the very subject of the requested meeting, the reform of school rhythms.
Vincent PEILLON thus locks himself in a partisan logic that does not honor him, missing all the republican principles and once again demonstrating his lack of courage to defend a reform widely rejected by the population.
We are sending today (editor’s note: yesterday) a letter to the Prime Minister to remind the head of government of the obligations and traditions inherent to the position of Minister.”
Final result from the Minister of National Education:
“The students of Nice will attend school 4 and a half days like everywhere in France from next September because the organization of school rhythms is a responsibility of the State, because there is a law and that this law was voted for the psychological and physical supervision of children as all international reports confirm. As far as I know, Nice is still part of France.
The mayor of Nice and his colleagues from the Metropolis are in charge of extracurricular activities. It is up to them to decide if they want to organize them or not. In the latter case, it must be clear that they are committing their responsibility and those who will suffer from it will be the most socially disadvantaged.”
