As classes are dropping out and the epidemic intensifies in France, the government is faced with a dilemma: to close schools to stop the spread of Covid-19, or to keep them open for the sake of well-being of the child and the organization of families.
If the goal is to keep them open at all costs, the government could end up with its back to the wall and use this latest cartridge to curb the spread of the virus.
A situation that worries children's aid associations, who fear reliving a scenario like that of the first confinement.
Read also: The closure of schools, a key issue for an upcoming reconfinement
Risks of mistreatment
In a plea “for keeping schools open” published at the end of January by the French pediatric society, specialists reported a sharp increase in “
abused, depressed, anxious and suicidal children
” in hospital services.
This is confirmed by the national telephone reception service for children in danger (119) in
Le Figaro,
which experienced a "
very complicated
"
situation
during the first confinement.
With a 56% increase in reports between March and May 2020, the services of the national number found themselves overwhelmed: “
We had teachers calling us because they had no news from their students ... The comrades themselves dialed the number "my boyfriend is locked up at home, I'm worried"
", testifies the communications officer of 119. Emergency situations have increased by 30%:"
there have been many cases where the 'we had to contact the police, the fire brigade, the SAMU ... Often, it was the neighbors who called us because they heard screams
”.
Comparative evolution of direct contacts with a police / gendarmerie service or SAMU 119 - national telephone reception service for children at risk
However, for the second confinement, no increase in the number of calls to 119 was noted: "
it is because the schools had remained open
", justifies the communication manager of the listening number.
“
Young people could talk to their teacher, their classmate and trusted adults.
"
There, if we close the schools, it will be hot, but we are preparing for it,
" she concludes.
To read also: "I would like to join grandfather and be in peace": at the heart of the listening cell for cyberbullyed children
Psychological distress in children and adolescents
Abuse is not the only cause for concern about school closures.
In the plea of the learned society of pediatrics, the question of the increase in the number of children in psychological distress was raised.
Questioned by
Le
Figaro
, the e-Enfance listening cell for cyberbullyed children noticed an increase in the number of reports of children wanting to end their lives.
Already observed between March and May, this increase returned to the rise following the reconfinement announcements two weeks ago, explains Paul *, listening to the association, at
Le Figaro
.
At the moment, "
the children are very anxious
", testifies Samuel Comblez, psychologist and director of operations for e-Enfance.
According to him, this anxiety is linked to several factors: the parents who communicate their concerns, the uncertainty related to their case, but also the fact of having the experience of the last two confinements.
“
The third risks being more violent for children and adolescents because they know what awaits them,
” he warns.
“
School is not just a place of learning.
It is a place where children and adolescents develop social relationships, interactions that are essential for their development.
It is therefore better to leave them at school, the year will quickly pass.
If we close, we are not doing them a service,
”he concludes.
While 16 departments have been confined since last week, for the moment, the government remains on its positions: leave schools open at all costs.
Contacted by
Le Figaro
, the Ministry of National Education also fears the consequences, both social and psychological.
“
Beyond all the difficulties, Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer says that going to school means continuing to learn, seeing friends and staying healthy,
” testifies the ministry.
* The name has been changed.
