Education budget: “The upgrading of teachers was an obligation, but does not resolve the lack of attractiveness of the profession” – Public Senate

It’s a “yes, but” for Senator LR, Olivier Paccaud special rapporteur for the “school education” mission for the 2024 budget. First state budget with more than 63 billion credits, up 6.5 % compared to last year, the mission’s appropriations were logically adopted in the finance committee, which does not prevent criticism of the distribution of expenses.

3.6 billion dedicated to revaluations

Emmanuel Macron’s campaign promise, the 10% salary increase for teachers represents a good part of the increase in the budget, with 3.6 billion. “In reality, the overall increase in the index point accounts for a good part of this increase, and mainly concerns the start of their careers,” notes Olivier Paccaud’s report. Since September 2022, cumulative increases in the index point, statutory compensation and the attractiveness bonus have led to an increase of between 9% and 12% over the first eight years, then settling between 4% and 5, 5% for the rest of the career of a school teacher. Same ratio for secondary education, a certified or associate teacher will see their salary increase between 11 to 12% for the first 11 years, falling to 3.7% for an associate teacher at the end of their career. A calculation which does not take into account “the Pact” for teachers who agree to carry out additional missions such as replacement hours, nor inflation. Note that the credits planned for the Teacher Pact in 2024 are lower than those envisaged the previous year, going from 628 million compared to 900 million in 2023. “Fewer teachers than what was hoped by the ministry would subscribe to a “Pact complete,” note the elected officials.

“Given the recruitment crisis and the impoverishment of the teaching staff, upgrading was an obligation but it does not, however, resolve the lack of attractiveness of the profession,” regrets Olivier Paccaud.

Resignations on the rise

At 0.34%, the teacher resignation rate remains below 1% but has increased by 700 points over the past 10 years. 2,836 teachers resigned in 2022 and 2023.

Lowest student supervision rate in Europe

2,300 positions will be eliminated in 2024. “The ministry justifies these reductions by the demographic decline of students. He could have taken advantage of this to improve the student supervision rate, which is the worst in Europe. The government prides itself on its good results in priority education zones by doubling classes in CP, CE1 and the main section. It could apply the same logic, by class, to the rest of the territory,” argues Olivier Paccaud. Its report shows the highest ratio of students in the European Union with nearly 19 students per teacher in elementary education and more than 23 students per teacher in pre-primary education. “We will recruit more teachers than we would recruit if we followed the demographics,” Gabriel Attal, the Minister of National Education, nevertheless promised at the start of the school year.

Increased resources for welcoming students with disabilities

Another important theme: the inclusive school policy which guarantees the right to education for all children, whatever their disability, notably through schooling from nursery to high school, taking into account their uniqueness and educational needs. particular to each person. Since 2006, the number of students with disabilities (ESH) educated in ordinary settings (public and private schools and establishments) has quadrupled, from 118,000 to 478,000 students at the start of the 2023 school year. In 2024, 4.466 million euros are dedicated to inclusive schools. Almost all of this sum finances specialized staff, teachers or those supporting students with disabilities (AESH), 4,800 positions are created in the budget.

If since 2017, the number of AESH has increased by 55% to reach 123,874 positions in 2023, the report of the Finance Committee insists on the need to implement a policy of de-precariousness and professionalization of these personnel in particular through the generalization of the recruitment of these personnel under three-year public law contracts, renewable once, before signing a permanent contract (CDI) for AESH with more than 3 years of seniority.

Financing the reform of vocational high schools

The reform of the vocational high school, which aims to increase the time spent in the workplace by high school students through apprenticeship contracts or internships, is estimated at 1 billion euros. From the start of this year, 2,100 company offices, one per establishment, must be set up to strengthen the links between the vocational school and the companies in its territory. 80 new future training courses, aimed at welcoming 1,050 students, were also opened. The Finance Committee notes that it is difficult to evaluate the reform. “Apart from the remuneration of professional staff, new means […] are limited to the gratuity of internships in vocational high schools […] 400 million euros are planned for the year 2024 for these bonuses.