Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu sets five projects to respond to the difficulties of high school students

In a letter addressed this Sunday to his ministers, first and foremost the Minister of National Education, Sébastien Lecornu, urges his government team to “initiate five projects to respond to the difficulties of high school students and staff”. This work, which must result in proposals “before the end of October”, must “extend the dialogue initiated with high school representatives, trade union organizations and parents, in establishments and academies”, explains the Prime Minister, after a week of high school blockades marred by tensions and violence.

Starting in mid-September from a high school in Créteil (Val-de-Marne), the movement of high school students, who are demanding in particular more human and financial resources, has spread throughout France. In his letter, Sébastien Lecornu wants classes to resume on Monday October 5 wherever security allows, and sets a timetable to respond to some of the demands, on the eve of a dreaded day of mobilization.

Skip the ad

Replacements and ecological transition

The first of the five tasks asked of ministers is to “ensure courses” and “give teams the means to help students succeed”. From tomorrow, ministers will have to launch in “each academy” a “priority treatment of the replacement of long absences and unfilled positions”. Particularly, specifies Matignon, in exam classes, such as first and final year. Ministers are notably invited to “reduce the time limits for assigning replacements.

“Guarantee dignified teaching conditions and prepare high schools for extreme heat” is the second objective. A meeting will take place on Tuesday October 6 with the presidents of the regional councils, in charge of high schools, “to establish a common method”. Before the end of October, ministers will have to propose to the regions “priorities for adaptation to high heat”. “The objective is to initiate feasible interventions before the summer of 2027 and to give a timetable for heavier work,” specifies Sébastien Lecornu in his letter.

Improving students' schedules - avoiding off-peak hours, short lunch breaks or long journeys - is the third challenge. “Initial improvements will have to be proposed for the return to school after the All Saints holidays.”

“Giving visible action to the words of high school students”

Parcoursup is also in the sights. “The ministers responsible for National Education and Higher Education will propose, before the end of October, improvements for the 2027 campaign”, which will open in the coming months.

Finally, the Prime Minister wants to “give visible action to the words of high school students”. “This last point is undoubtedly the most important,” specifies Sébastien Lecornu. Ministers are, for example, urged to propose “better representation of professional high school students in academic and national bodies”.

Skip the ad

Each proposal must be accompanied by a timetable and a budget. “Confidence will be restored when everyone can see what is changing in their high school,” concludes Sébastien Lecornu.