High school students from Dumbéa and Mont-Dore are gradually returning to their schools

They have not seen each other for eight weeks, most of the time.This Tuesday, at Dick-Ukeiwë High School in Dumbéa, students in the final year of technology returned to class with their form teachers and students from BTS. “It’s difficult to be at home and work, especially because I don’t have a computer and the internet connection is not what it used to be,” Final year student Jonë Hnautra confided: “Everyone has to be diligent, especially with the ongoing assessment of the bachelor’s degree at the end of the year.

The first morning of recovery begins with a discussion of time to try to recover in the best possible condition. “We learned from other institutions, especially in terms of emotions, and developed communication rules” Hélène Chardon, professor of economics and management, explains: Finding yourself, finding the words, talking about the difficulties of everyday life… In this huge institution in Doumbea, everything is aimed at stopping external violence, from security measures to prevention.

On the day of the resumption of classes, nearly 300 high school students were pleasantly surprised to find a brand new space. A listening place open continuously from Monday to Friday, which will allow them to “Get rid of emotions, High school nurse Karine Detcheverry explained.

A carefully prepared, phased return. The chance for the headteacher to remind house rules and respond to young people’s concerns. Constant monitoring of the school, security… everyone can ask questions. “I have reiterated time and again that the site is a protected space, we have 260 staff working on site and we are phasing our return to school so we have put in place as many measures as possible.” Principal Frédéric Girot explains.

It stipulates that enforcement will be carried out during peak hours. Dick-Ukeiwë High School, Caledonia’s largest, expects 1,800 students this week.

Reporting by Sheïma Riahi and Claude Lindor.

© New Caledonia

Also staggered was the return to Mont-Dore Comprehensive High School. After following his staff last week, he began looking for his students. “The first floor and BTS were restored this morning”said Principal Maxime Jeandel. “It’s going well. We feel like the students are happy to be there. I think it’s nice that there are signs of normalcy returning.” After this half-day reception, CAP will start on Wednesday, then the second Thursday, and the finals on Friday. There are no classes at the moment, which will start again next week, but it is a time for welcome, networking and collaboration activities.

High schools are resuming classes and the Saint-Michel district is experiencing a more peaceful environment. For weeks, there have been blockades, clashes and law enforcement actions in the neighborhood. Since then, the blockade has been further extended. As for the institutions themselves, there is no targeting. The main obstacle remains: the barrier to movement.

“We had 30% of the expected number of people this morning.”evaluate the principal. “The biggest difficulty in finding our students is traffic and transportation issues.” For example, the departmental high school in southern Mont-Dore has only one road, and it is strongly recommended not to take that road at this time. Enrollees (half a thousand) may also come from other cities and work in departments that do not exist elsewhere. “Without buses, it’s difficult for almost all of our students to get here. Those who don’t live nearby or don’t have a parent to accompany them can’t come.”

The same problem plagues about 150 agents and teachers. “Overall, we found our people, but it wasn’t easy.” 15% to 20% live in the south. Some take sea buses to work, which brings all kinds of uncertainties.