The reform of the school rhythms is at the center of the political debate. For different reasons, unions and the right find themselves on the same side to express their opposition to the implementation of this reform which, after an initial launch in 2013, is set to find its definitive regime at the next school year.
The political aspect of the operation is evident: For the UMP, it is yet another opportunity to criticize (or rather, in this case, “attack”) the government and try to destabilize its Minister of National Education, Vincent Peillon.
Today’s strike (union rally at Place Garibaldi at 10 a.m.) has received the support of Christian Estrosi and all the right-wing mayors of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis. So will we witness a first with the parade (virtual or real?) of the mayor of Nice and the representatives of the CGT and other school unions side by side?
Moreover, while the latter demand a postponement of the implementation of this reform and the opening of negotiations with the Ministry of National Education, the right-wing mayors of the Azure region (led by Christian Estrosi and his Cannes colleague Bernard Brochand) even refuse to apply it. At least, “as long as the financial impact is not under control and as long as the effectiveness against school failure is not demonstrated.”
“We have the duty not to implement the decree establishing the new school rhythms,” explained Christian Estrosi during a press conference, while Bernard Brochand said, “We would have to spend between 1.5 and 2.7 million euros more on the already significant budget we allocate each year to out-of-school services. It’s just impossible.”
“We’ll have to raise taxes, that’s clear,” added Honoré Colomas, the mayor of Saint-André-de-la-Roche and president of the association of mayors of the Alpes-Maritimes.
Right-wing mayors going further than the CGT on the left — we had not seen that yet on the Côte d’Azur!
However, right-wing mayors refusing to apply a law could also be a bad example from those who have recently been in power and a dangerous precedent for those who aspire to return to power. Isn’t respect for the law the first act of the republican pact? Unless the key to understanding lies in the heart of the general assembly of the Mayors of France, where each opponent will strive to present themselves with the most outstanding achievement in their arsenal. Will it be serious, or just a warm-up round to stir up emotions for the next municipal election campaign?
In this debate, where political positioning takes precedence over content and in which the interests of young students (in whose name everyone speaks!) are held hostage, the gold medal goes undoubtedly to Dr. Alain Frère, the mayor of Tourrette-Levens.
In an interview published in the local daily, he declared his conviction as a doctor that the reform would have a “negative impact” on young students. One might wonder what the sources of his claim are… An illumination by the Holy Spirit?
Let us recall that the purpose of the law is to spread class hours throughout the week, lightening the school day, and scheduling lessons at times when students’ ability to concentrate is greater.
However, let’s hear from Professor François Testu, a chronopsychologist, and Professor Marcel Rufo, a child psychiatrist: “This reform should improve the conditions for all students to succeed and enhance their enjoyment of learning.”
Professor Testu emphasized, “One should prefer, instead of the term ‘lighten,’ the term ‘de-densify’ and place intellectually, physically, and biologically demanding activities at the right time,” while Professor Marcel Rufo, a child psychiatrist, stated: “It’s an essential reform for equality of opportunity and access to culture or enjoyment.”
Both scientists agreed: “The main findings from field research include daily variations in intellectual performance being more pronounced in students who do not master the task, extracurricular and out-of-school educational activities contributing to the physical and psychological development of young people, and a four-day week without any activities proposed around school education desynchronizing daily rhythms and weakening students’ performance.”
For this reason: “Freeing up time does not necessarily mean fulfillment.”
To be continued…
