Emmanuel Macron heard the student discomfort?
During a trip to the University of Paris-Saclay, this Thursday, January 21, the President of the Republic made announcements in the direction of 2.7 million students, several hundred of whom had demonstrated on Wednesday, demanding a "plan emergency ”in the face of their precariousness and isolation, caused in particular by courses almost entirely in distancing in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.
By way of announcements, not really an emergency plan, but two new points: meals at one euro for all and a horizon for the return to face-to-face.
First, Emmanuel Macron promised to set up two meals a day for 1 euro "at the university restaurant, including for those who are not scholarship holders, international students", for all those "who ask".
He therefore extended the existing one: since last year, only scholarship holders had the right to a meal at one euro per day.
VIDEO. Covid-19 crisis: Macron announces meals at 1 euro "for all students who ask"
Nothing revolutionary, according to Paul Mayaux, president of the student union Fage.
“Is it suitable for the situation?
Today, because of the distance, many students are not at university, so far from the university restaurant which can provide them with this meal for one euro
(Editor's note: U restaurants are open for take-out meals)
”, worries the young man, who would have preferred a "direct aid paid into the bank account of the concerned".
"Why not automatic one euro meals?"
At the UNEF, another student union, Mélanie Luce deplores that this “U ticket” supposed to be open to all is only “on demand”.
“This forces students to report themselves in a state of precariousness.
Why not have put in place what we are asking for: automatic meals for one euro, and above all, an increase in grants and housing assistance, ”plague the boss of the UNEF.
Which also reminds us that 50% of U restaurants are currently closed.
For his part, François Germinet, president of the faculty of Cergy, is pleased that there is "an answer to the precariousness" of students.
"Our food aid distributions on campus are really taken by storm, it's a nameless sadness", contextualizes the boss of the CY, who considers this announcement "very positive".
Calendar side, the ministry indicates this Thursday afternoon that this one euro meal device should be operational in early February.
"We want a recovery date"
Another announcement, eagerly awaited by students stricken with isolation because of distance education, a - very - gradual return to lecture halls has been promised by the President of the Republic.
"A student has the right to have 20% of his time in person," assured Emmanuel Macron.
“A student must have the same rights as an employee.
If he needs it, he should be able to come back to university one day a week ”to college, with a maximum level of 20%.
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It was already planned that the first year students, considered "fragile public", return to the benches of the university, in half-gauges, from January 25.
“It's better than nothing,” Judge Parnian, a health license student in Amiens (Somme).
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“It's a relief to talk about it.
It's on the table: the student mobilization has been heard, obviously.
But we need more than that: at least 50% of our schedule, and especially for practical work and tutorials (tutorials), ”explains the young woman of 24 years.
Mélanie Luce, too, notes "the open door" by the government.
Seeing there "the effect of the mobilization" of January 20.
But she remains dissatisfied: "We are promised a ... plan, while we want a recovery date.
And a 20% gauge is insufficient.
At a minimum, you need 50%, ”she summarizes.
"Do not create inequalities between the universities"
Moreover, for Paul Mayaux, it is essential that this mechanism be accompanied by a “national framework” intended for university presidents.
“So as not to create inequalities between the universities,” he explains.
For the boss of the university of Cergy, this 20% gauge will "allow student rotations", and everyone "will be able to get back to it quickly".
But not immediately anyway: the ministry specifies that this resumption should be done "within 15 days".
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Finally, during his visit to Essonne, the President of the Republic has somewhat clarified the contours of the psychological support check announced last Friday by Prime Minister Jean Castex.
Intended to pay, for students, consultations with city psychologists, it should be around a hundred euros, or two or three consultations.
