A day of emotion and reflection after the tragedy. On Monday, middle and high school teachers were able to meet with their colleagues early in the morning to talk about Professor Dominique Bernard, killed Friday in Arras by a radicalized ex-student. A necessary moment for everyone, according to Cédric, an English teacher in a college in Bordeaux: “This is the first time that the ministry has granted us speaking time after such a tragedy. It was very useful, especially to prepare for the minute of silence with the students.”
And everyone needed to find their colleagues: “It was a form of collective catharsis to share emotion,” underlines Sophie Vénétitay, SES teacher and general secretary of Snes-FSU. A feeling shared by another Sophie, a middle school English teacher, who had a hard time coming to her establishment on Monday morning: “During the two hours, we felt surrounded. We needed to come together, to be a team.” “It was even harder than for Samuel Paty,” adds Anne, a secondary school teacher. In the college of Julie, a French teacher in Paris, it was rather anger that dominated: “We wondered why the government did not call on all French people, in business, in administrations or at home, to take a minute of silence. When a teacher is murdered, it is the Republic that is attacked. »
An opportunity for school leaders to talk about security measures
These two hours also served for some, like Charles, to share their fears: “High schools are sieves. Anyone can enter,” he believes. Teachers were therefore able to discuss the security of establishments with their superiors. “Our principal reminded us of the precautions to avoid intrusions into the school,” explains Thierry, teacher at a vocational school in Arras.
In primary school, the time for discussion between teachers was not scheduled at 8 a.m., but during the lunch break. What Caroline, a school teacher, deplores: “I was angry at this difference in treatment with secondary education. The students that the nursery and elementary school welcomes are very young. They too deserve that their teachers reflect, and at least consult together to know what words, what approach, what time… but no! » Same reaction for Laurence: “I found myself alone in my class in the morning. And during the lunch break, we had a debrief with my colleagues and the school psychologist. » Nicolas, a primary school teacher, also believes that he did not have enough time to interact with his colleagues. “The national daycare played its role well from 8 a.m. Monday morning. It seems like empathy only exists in secondary education. »
“I could be that gentleman”
Once in front of their students, high school teachers often found that they had seen the video of the assailant in the playground. “Some were shocked and wanted to talk about it. Others not at all,” says Thierry. They also had to answer their questions: “Some asked me why terrorists attacked teachers. Others wanted to know what a minute of silence was for, and a few asked me how I was,” says Sophie Venetitay. Franck, a professional high school teacher, refused to talk about the attack: “I don’t want to and I won’t do it. The real problems of school, the mirror of a society that is losing its way, are hidden under a shower of tributes. I could be that gentleman. But I am not afraid and I will continue to throw heavy weight when necessary,” he explains.
At 2 p.m., a minute of silence “in memory of the victims of the attacks committed against our school” then took place in middle and high schools. In primary school, this time of homage and contemplation sometimes took other forms, to take into account the age of the students. A moment of contemplation preceded by strong speeches. “The principal first gave a speech paying tribute to Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard, she recalled the importance of compassion,” says Cédric. “The principal read the text written by Dominique Bernard’s colleague, it was very beautiful. He also spoke about the invisible people in the establishment who were there to protect the students, such as the service agents. They were applauded after the minute of silence,” says Thierry.
“We had the impression of being part of the Nation, it was very strong”
Sophie, for her part, held this moment of contemplation in her class to preserve the students’ privacy: “We had the impression of being in heart with the Nation, it was very strong.” A minute of silence well respected by the students. “I found them very dignified and very respectful. They had grasped the gravity of the moment,” underlines Sophie Vénétitay.
And this time of contemplation often triggered new questions among the students. “Some people don’t know the difference between Islam and Islamism, it’s important to answer their questions on the subject,” insists Cédric. “My students told me about Samuel Paty. They needed to make the link between the two dramas,” says Sophie. A day of tribute that is all the more essential as the All Saints’ Day holidays start this Friday. “If we hadn’t lived this Monday together, we would have ruminated for two weeks,” says Thierry.