Laura, teacher in Toulouse: “unthinkable to let these children sleep outside”
They wanted to alert on a situation that they triggered “disastrous”. In a communicated, teachers from the Stendhal college and the Louise Michel, Didier Daurat and Sylvain Dauriac schools in Toulouse respondent to a gathering Wednesday 8 November at 12 noon. Nine of their students are among the 39 homeless who have occupied the Saint-Sernin gymnasium since December 3.
According to the statement, they have between 3 and 15 years old. And they’ve been on the streets since November 30 now. “It is not unthinkable for us to let all these children and their parents sleep outside in the middle of winter”, deplores the teachers. For Laura Bonzom, teacher at Stendhal college and contacted by The Independent Opinion, “a roof is a right. Including for people who are not French”.
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A delay in schooling
From the tone of her voice, we feel that this situation saddens her. Laura Bonzom teaches at Stendhal college in the Faourette district of Toulouse. Among the children who occupy the Saint-Sernin gymnasium, one of them was his student last year. Today he is in 6e in another class, but to know it in this case is saddening. “Yesterday I went to the gym to see him. This student did not come to college because he had to take care of his brothers and sisters. Her mom is seven months pregnant. It made me very sad to see these families in these terrible situations, ”she explains.
The teacher specifies that this student returned today with a smile, but “it’s complicated”, she says. “He missed school days, so it means a school delay“.
“It goes against everything we teach them”
She admits to being shocked at this situation. “In 2021, this is not normal. Especially since these children are in school. They fit in, and overnight, they find themselves outside. In the middle of winter too. I didn’t even think it was possible, ”she admits.
She also denounces the paradox when it comes to the values admitted to school. Most of the children who use the gymnasium with their families have not been granted asylum.
But that goes against everything we teach them, “she explains.” We are talking about France as a host country. We make them work on these themes, we ask them to know the values of the Republic to integrate. But when they do, they don’t not even guaranteed to live with dignity“, she laments.
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“Their carelessness is stolen from them”
In addition, “the children carry everything on their shoulders with this situation”, denounces the teacher. She takes the example of her former student. According to her, he spent the weekend translating what was being said on the subject for his parents. Even chosen for his brother in high school. He takes care of the administrative procedures because the parents do not speak French well. “Their carelessness is stolen from them,” she laments.
And to add: “They are not supposed to be wondering where they are going in the next few days. Rather, they are supposed to live with dignity with a roof and the material to work. It is the same for their families “.
“We hope that the Prefecture finds a solution”
It is for this reason that Laura Bonzom decided to get involved in this cause. Tomorrow, she will participate in the rally with the other teachers from the colleges concerned. They will be supported by the DAL, the FCPE31, the CGT Educ, SUD Educ and the Education Without Borders Network 31. “So yes we have our role of teacher, but on is a citizen above all. And leaving these entire families in the street, I do not agree “, justifies Laura Bonzom. Before adding:” we hope that the Prefecture finds a solution. “Teachers and associations indeed want it. relocation of families and the regularization of their situation.
Currently the DAL indicates caring for 73 street school children. But according to the Education Without Borders Network 31 (RESF 31), they are approximately 300 children in school without housing.
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