Replacement teachers, recruitment and budget… Update on Edouard Geffray’s announcements

Faced with the mobilization of high school students, the government announced new measures. On Thursday, the Minister of National Education, Edouard Geffray, presented on TF1 a system including the deployment of 3,000 replacement teachers, additional recruitment and new financial resources. Here's what we know.

Replacement teachers in priority high schools

The ministry plans to mobilize 3,000 replacement teachers in establishments facing the greatest difficulties. “We have 3,000 replacement teachers who are currently not in front of the students. In the coming hours, they will join these establishments,” announced Edouard Geffray. Their deployment should take place in the hours and days to come.

To identify priority high schools, the ministry is using new software deployed for the first time this school year. “There are 114 high schools which I would say are red, and 400 which are orange,” said the minister. This tool, requested a year ago, makes it possible to identify establishments in which the situation is particularly problematic.

Additional recruitments

The government also plans to make recruitment possibilities more flexible. Edouard Geffray announced that he was going to “authorize rectors to recruit more than what is specifically authorized”. This decision should make it possible to mobilize “a few hundred” additional teachers, in addition to the replacements already available.

Principals will also benefit from several hundred thousand additional hours allocated in advance as part of the “teaching pact”. They will allow volunteer teachers to provide short-term replacements. The minister estimated the cost of all of these measures at “several tens of millions of euros” for 2026.

High school students consulted on the National Education budget

The minister also intends to take into account the demands of students in the preparation of the 2027 budget. A consultation platform, accessible since Monday evening, allows high school students to transmit their requests and concerns. The government plans to respond establishment by establishment, before drawing budgetary proposals. “This is the first time that our high school students will have an effect on the national education budget,” assured Edouard Geffray.

All our articles on the high school blockade

These announcements come as the high school mobilization continues. On Thursday, 71,500 demonstrators were recorded according to the Ministry of the Interior. A new day of action is planned for Tuesday October 13. The minister indicated that student contributions could lead to amendments to the finance bill concerning the National Education budget.