After a day marked by 29 arrests, the high school student mobilization is experiencing a decrease in unrest in the Alpes-Maritimes. The Rector of Nice Emmanuel Roux met with student representatives on Friday, October 2. Distance learning will be maintained on Monday in 28 high schools.
The situation surrounding the high school student mobilization is evolving in the Alpes-Maritimes. On Friday, October 2, 29 arrests were recorded in the department following mortar fire, projectiles and vandalism, compared to 72 the day before. No injuries were reported among security forces or protesters.
Since the start of the movement, 14 national police officers and four municipal police officers have been injured. Unrest has also been observed around high schools that were not subject to distance learning, particularly in Drap and Valbonne.
The education authority engages in dialogue with high school students
The National Education system had placed 24 establishments on distance learning on Friday. The measure helped to avoid gatherings in these high schools. The system will be extended on Monday and expanded to four additional establishments.
At the same time, the education authority wants to respond to the demands expressed by students. The Rector of the Academy Emmanuel Roux met on Friday morning with the Academic Council of High School Life. “Their representatives were able to express their concerns, expectations and proposals”, the rector states.
Four topics emerged from the discussions: “the organization of class schedules”, conditions related to school buildings, career guidance and dialogue with high school students. Emmanuel Roux notably wishes to seek “a more suitable organization” of class schedules where possible.
Issues concerning facilities must be addressed with the South Region, within its remit. The rector also wants the councils of high school life to be convened more regularly.
On career guidance, an academic reflection has been initiated “on the student’s journey, from primary school to higher education to better support guidance and integration.”
Dialogue should continue on Monday, October 5 with the opening of a national consultation platform. In the academy, the councils of high school life will also be convened at the earliest opportunity. Emmanuel Roux must also exchange with representatives of staff and soon with those of parents.
The rector nonetheless calls to maintain this dialogue “in a calm and respectful framework.” School heads, teachers and education staff are subject to threats, “sometimes of death”, on social networks. The facts are reported to the judicial authority and several staff members concerned have obtained functional protection.
Emmanuel Roux condemns the violence observed since Monday in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, while distinguishing these acts from “the legitimate expression of high school students” in a peaceful setting. Support has also been expressed for mobilized staff and law enforcement.
28 high schools on distance learning on Monday
On Monday, 28 establishments will be affected by distance learning. In Nice, the list includes Apollinaire, Calmette, Don Bosco, Estienne-d’Orves, Les Eucalyptus, Les Palmiers, Magnan, Manouchian, Parc Impérial and Vauban. In Grasse, Amiral de Grasse, Chiris, de Croisset and Tocqueville are affected.
In Antibes, the system affects Audiberti, Jacques Dolle and Léonard de Vinci. In Cagnes-sur-Mer, Escoffier and Renoir are affected. In Cannes, Bristol, Carnot and Hutinel join the list, with Jules Ferry and Les Côteaux added on Monday. In Menton, Paul-Valéry and Pierre and Marie Curie are affected. Goscinny in Drap and the CIV in Valbonne complete the system. The measure may be extended on Tuesday depending on how the situation develops.
Static gatherings will be prohibited around the 28 establishments until Tuesday at 7 p.m. The possession, carrying, transport and use of explosive materials, combustible or corrosive substances, firecrackers, mortars, weapons or objects that could constitute a weapon are also prohibited. The wearing of masks and helmets is covered by this prohibition.
Finally, the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has met with the mayors concerned, the president of the regional council, representatives of the National Education system, police and gendarmerie to coordinate the action of public authorities. Three CRS units will reinforce the departmental police and gendarmerie forces.
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