Find what children may need at school

A NEW list of essential school equipment has been prepared for parents to buy before the rentrée and the Education Ministry says it is aimed to be cheaper and less heavy for children to carry.

Containing items such as a large rigid folder, a packet of 16 colour felt-tip pens or a 96-page writing pad, schools and teachers prepare their own lists from the official fournitures scolaires list published in the Bulletin officiel de l’Éducation Nationale.

The ministry told them that the items they ask parents to buy should be recyclable and that efforts should be made to allow purchases to be scaled in over the year.

It also asks that parents be involved in the discussions of what equipment is needed and that this should change according to the needs of the class.

Once agreed, the list is approved at local level and posted on the school or education authority website as well as given to parents.

The full list is available on the Education Ministry website.