They “didn't expect much”… and they were right.
This Thursday afternoon, several unions of 1st and 2nd degree teachers were received by videoconference by the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer.
On the menu: the health protocol, while the figures for the epidemic are on the rise and the British variant of Covid-19 - from a more transmissible strain - has landed in France.
Result of this meeting, no shocking announcement.
And a piece of information: the health protocol in place since November 9 will not be strengthened.
"The ministry assured us that they were on the alert and ready to move the cursor if necessary," said Guislaine David, co-secretary general of Snuipp-FSU, the main primary teachers' union.
Not enough, she believes.
“We wanted at least clear and established scenarios in the event of a major epidemic recovery, regrets Guislaine David.
If the contamination figures panic, we wanted the ministry to give us a precise plan B, or even C.
But we got nothing.
"
Vaccination of teachers would start in March or even April
Another point announced during this virtual meeting: according to the ministry, school heads have traced 800 cases of students who tested positive for Covid-19 ... throughout France.
"But we are only on the declarative", recalls Sophie Venetitay, deputy general secretary of SNES-FSU, union of secondary teachers.
There were 700 on Tuesday, January 5, then 800 on Wednesday.
But this figure, therefore, is not based on massive tests, but on indications coming back from families, among others.
“This is a partial figure, still say the unions together, who hope for updated figures on Friday.
Because some do not report their sick child, or do not even know if it is asymptomatic!
"
Finally, the ministry told teachers' unions that their vaccination would begin in March, or even April.
Disappointing, for some, who had heard the minister declare, Sunday on Europe 1, that he hoped for a vaccination campaign in March, or even before.
“As it stands, we are going after the elderly and caregivers,” confirms Guislaine David.
And probably in the same way as for the rest of the population: older teachers and / or teachers with aggravating factors will have priority over others.