An audit of the management of bullying cases should begin in each academy between September 2022 and 2023, with conclusions expected in mid-October.
Published on 09/18/2023 21:19
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Before the exceptional meeting of rectors on Monday, September 18, the Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal, called for a “electroshock at all levels” in the fight against bullying, after the death of Nicolas, a high school student from Poissy (Yvelines) who committed suicide a few days after the start of the school year, after reporting bullying at his previous school.
“My role, yours, is not to protect an Institution at all costs, but to protect our students, our children at all costs”, he declared, according to comments reported by his ministry. An audit on the management of bullying cases will be launched in each academy from September 2022 to September 2023. The conclusions are expected in four weeks. Every year the results of the fight against harassment carried out by the rectorates will be evaluated.
“When there is a mistake you have to have the courage to say it and above all the courage to draw conclusions. I will not waste a second to act”added the minister, who assures that “If additional resources are needed to establish dedicated and trained teams in the rectorates, responsible full-time for the management of harassment cases, I will provide the necessary human resources.”
The “shameful” letter from the rectorate of Versailles
“I said as soon as I assumed that the fight against bullying would be the priority of action of this ministry under my authority: I hope that this priority will be shared by each and everyone”continued Gabriel Attal.
In exchanges of letters between the family of Nicolas, the director of the Poissy institute, and the rectorate of Versailles, the rectorate judged “unacceptable” comments from parents who would have “challenged” the attitude of the establishment staff. The tone of these letters provoked strong reactions from the government on Saturday. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne described it as “shocking” and Gabriel Attal of “pity”.
