Paris students return to school after trauma of terror attacks

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Students in Paris have returned to their studies after a weekend of trauma following Friday’s terror attacks. One school, Lycee Voltaire is in the 11th arrondissement close to where much of the carnage took place and it is where euronews’ special correspondent Valerie Gauriat caught up with some of them and their teachers away from the school.

From the start it was clear the students have new security routines to follow and have apparently been told not hang around outside too long. For some educational establishments extra security personnel have been deployed.

Teacher Axel Manuali said :“The whole school came together together. It was a very strong moment. The pupils, the teachers, the educational team, the head of the school, everyone reacted very well, showing much solidarity.”

In the school, a crisis centre has been set up with counsellors and social workers on hand to support students and staff. Beyond the trauma caused by the deadly attacks we asked some students it all meant for them, and their future:

Eighteen-year-old Sacha Sztejnbock presented a stoical front: “What happened wont stop us from living. We will live, we will keep on living like before. Of course, deep down we are sad, we were all shocked. But we cant be afraid.”

While Jade Rozenkranc, also 18 was more pessimistic about the future:
“The generation before us leaves us with a chaotic world, a world of wars. We wonder if it’s really worth it..for future generations. There’s already so many problems, environmental..and others things…… And if on top of that humans go after each other.. We no longer have any certainty that the future will be any good.”

Special correspondent Valerie Gauriat reported from outside the Lycee:
“Philosopher Voltaire was known for his fight against religious fanaticism, and for freedom of thought. Themes that have probably had a particular resonance in the minds of young Parisians.”