When French schools start the new academic year on September 2nd, there will be a new health protocol in place – full details here.
But one thing that hasn’t changed is the vast amount of stationery that children apparently need for school in France.
10 sticks of glue…3 boxes of tissues…2 pencil cases…a shoebox. France set for consumer spending boost as parents rush to get the stationary needed for primary schools kids. This is why French supermarkets have huge stationary aisles…#larentree pic.twitter.com/jHZ0K60rA4
— Ben McPartland (@McPBen) August 26, 2020
In total the list, available online from the French government, runs to 29 items for primary school children, with extra items for pupils going to college or lycée.
READ ALSO
- ANALYSIS: Do French schoolchildren really have too many holidays?
- What exactly is la rentrée?
- These are the new reforms set for French schools
(article continues below)
See also on The Local:
The full list is:
- one large workbook (21cm by 29cm)
- one small workbook (17cm by 22cm)
- loose sheets of A4 size paper, both single and double
- a music workbook
- a rigid folder (A4 size)
- a non-rigid folder (A4 size)
- two protective covers for workbooks
- transparent file pockets
- a roll of plastic (for covering books)
- four biros (blue, black, red and green)
- pencils
- 12 colouring pencils
- 12 felt tipped pens
- five tubes of coloured poster paint
- an eraser
- a correcter pen
- one tube of glue
- a roll of sellotape
- one A4 folder with plastic pockets
- one pencil case
- three paintbrushes of differing sizes (numbers 6,10 and 14 or 4,10 and 16 are recommended)
- one 30cm plastic ruler
- a 12cm plastic protractor
- a plastic set square
- one pair of compasses (metal or plastic)
- one pair of scissors with rounded ends
- a pencil sharpener
- a diary
The list has been put together by parents and teachers working together and apparently takes into account budget constraints and the weight of the child’s schoolbag.
And if you’ve ever wondered why French supermarkets all seem to have such a wide range of stationery, this could well be your answer.
But parents shouldn’t be too concerned about being arrested by the stationery police if they don’t have all the items on the list – which is described as a guideline rather than a rule.
Less well-off families can get help with the cost of stationery and other back-to-school expenses – click here to find out how to apply.
“four biros (blue, black, red and green)”
I always wondered why the Bic 4-color pens I use were made in France (unlike other ballpoint pens). I see it’s important there!