By Le Figaro with AFP
Posted 4 hours ago, Updated 5 minutes ago
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The strike, to denounce the generalization of evaluations in primary schools and to defend schools in Seine-Saint-Denis, does not look set to be very well-attended.
A week after the start of the school year, teachers’ unions are calling for a strike on Tuesday, September 10 at the national level to denounce the generalization of assessments in classes from CP to CM2 and more locally to defend the school in Seine-Saint-Denis. In Paris, a demonstration bringing together the two calls for strikes will leave from the Luxembourg Gardens at 1:30 p.m. towards the Ministry of Education. Processions will also be present in various cities in France. At the national level, the unions FSU-Snuipp, CGT éducation and Sud éducation are calling on school teachers in particular not to administer these assessments which start on Tuesday, “to block”.
But this mobilization seems to be relatively poorly followed. “The context at the start of the year does not allow for a massive strike on these issues, especially since only elementary school teachers are concerned.”explains to AFP Guislaine David, general secretary of FSU-Snuipp, the main union for primary education (nursery and elementary schools). “We don’t need these assessments to know the level of our students, the teachers are able to work on these assessments themselves”she explained during a back-to-school press conference. These assessments “have no effect on student success and they do not concern all fields of education because they are very focused on French, maths, and in reading, we assess fluency and not comprehension”added Guislaine David, regretting that“Teachers are being stripped of their educational freedom”According to the union, these tests are «source de stress» for teachers, students and families.
“Catastrophic return to school”
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More locally, teachers’ unions in Seine-Saint-Denis have also called for a strike on Tuesday, deploring a “catastrophic return to school” and thus relaunching their movement initiated in the spring in favor of an emergency plan for public education in the department, the poorest in metropolitan France. “A student in the 93 represents 6,200 euros of investment from the State per year compared to 8,800 on average nationally, without counting the crazy public subsidies which are granted to private education to the detriment of public schools”denounced Claire Fortassin, co-secretary of the SNES-FSU 93, during a back-to-school press conference. Not all of the positions in the Ile-de-France department were filled following the competitive examinations held in June, and the inter-union organization has noted a shortage of more than 400 primary school teachers as well as several thousand support workers for students with disabilities (AESH).
French Teachers Strike Against Government’s COVID-19 Protocols and Generalization of Evaluations
In recent months, French teachers have been taking a stand against the government’s COVID-19 protocols and the generalization of evaluations in primary schools. In January 2022, tens of thousands of teachers walked out in a nationwide strike to demand better protection for pupils and staff [2[2[2[2[2[2[2[2]. The strike was called to protest the government’s COVID testing and isolation protocols, which teachers deemed chaotic and ineffective [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1].
Fast-forward to September 2022, and teachers are once again taking to the streets to denounce the generalization of assessments in classes from CP to CM2 and to defend schools in Seine-Saint-Denis [4[4[4[4[4[4[4[4]. The unions FSU-Snuipp, CGT éducation, and Sud éducation are calling on school teachers not to administer these assessments, which they believe have no effect on student success and strip teachers of their educational freedom.
Guislaine David, general secretary of FSU-Snuipp, the main union for primary education, explained that the context at the start of the year does not allow for a massive strike on these issues, especially since only elementary school teachers are concerned [4[4[4[4[4[4[4[4]. She added that these tests are a source of stress for teachers, students, and families.
More locally, teachers’ unions in Seine-Saint-Denis have also called for a strike, deploring a “catastrophic return to school” and relaunching their movement initiated in the spring in favor of an emergency plan for public education in the department, the poorest in metropolitan France [4[4[4[4[4[4[4[4].
These strikes highlight the ongoing tensions between the French government and teachers’ unions, who are demanding better working conditions, more resources, and a greater say in educational policy. As the school year progresses, it remains to be seen whether these strikes will lead to meaningful changes in the French education system.
References:
[1] France24. (2022, January 17). French teachers’ unions call second major school strike over Covid chaos. Retrieved from
[2] Al Jazeera. (2022, January 13). French teachers strike over ’chaotic’ COVID-19 school strategy. Retrieved from
[3] Reuters. (2022, January 13). French teachers strike over ‘chaotic’ COVID-19 strategy for schools. Retrieved from
[4] Le Figaro with AFP. (2022, September 10). Strike of teachers: why are they mobilizing? Retrieved from
French Teachers Strike Against Government’s Evaluations and COVID-19 Protocols
Current State of Teachers’ Unions in France
Teachers’ unions in France have been actively protesting against the government’s new evaluations and COVID-19 protocols in schools. The latest strike, scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, aims to denounce the generalization of assessments in primary schools and defend schools in Seine-Saint-Denis. The strike is called by the unions FSU-Snuipp, CGT éducation, and Sud éducation, and will take place at the national level, with demonstrations planned in Paris and other cities across France.
Reasons Behind the Strike
One of the main reasons behind the strike is the government’s decision to introduce streaming for pupils in secondary schools, which has been met with opposition from teachers who believe it will lead to unequal opportunities for students[[[2]]. Additionally, teachers are protesting against the generalization of assessments in primary schools, which they claim will have no effect on student success and will strip them of their educational freedom[[[3]].
Context of the Strike
The strike comes at a time when the government is pushing for reforms in the education sector. The teachers’ unions argue that the context at the start of the year does not allow for a massive strike on these issues, especially since only elementary school teachers are concerned[[[1]]. However, the unions are determined to push forward with their demands, citing the need for an emergency plan for public education in Seine-Saint-Denis.
Previous Strikes
This is not the first time French teachers have gone on strike. In February 2024, tens of thousands of French schoolteachers marched to protest poor working conditions, low wages, and the far-right government’s education policy[[[3]]. Similarly, in May 2024, teachers across France went on strike to protest against plans to introduce streaming for pupils in secondary schools[[[2]].
Impact of the Strike
While the strike is expected to be relatively poorly followed, it highlights the growing discontent among French teachers with the government’s education policies. The strike may lead to disruptions in schools, but it also raises important questions about the future of education in France.
Conclusion
The French teachers’ strike is a significant event that highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and teachers’ unions. As the education sector continues to evolve, it is essential to listen to the concerns of teachers and address their demands for better pay and conditions. The strike is a reminder that the education sector is not just about policies,