The principal of the Salinis college will leave the factory at the end of December. After decades spent in boarding schools in the Gers, Jean-Claude Daures takes a well-deserved retirement.
At Salinis college the 470 students will not find the principal when they return from the Christmas holidays. Jean-Claude Daures, at 62, retires. He is leaving a factory that he had taken over since 2018. Preparing for the start of the 2023 school year from January, he preferred to ensure continuity.
Teacher, Jean-Claude Daures did not think about it when he began his career as an industrial designer at Schlumberger in 1981. This native of Lot-et-Garonne, who left very early for Yvelines with his parents, put down his pencil to become a teacher of technology. A period of which the principal has excellent memories. “At that time, technology was much more manipulated: students made projects and came with pleasure. And I loved it too! But Jean-Claude Daures, if he likes to teach, sees valuable colleagues at the end of his career who are nevertheless tired of their profession. “I was 40 and I didn’t want a monotony that could lead me to this. And the monotony, “a college principal doesn’t know!” »
Postman on bicycle
He passed the competition to become principal in 2001, and discovered a job that resembled a one-man band, in Plaisance du Gers, where he worked from 2006 to 2009, or in Masseube from 2009 to 2012. Thus, during his confinement, Jean -Claude Daures become a postman. “Some Salinis students didn’t have the Internet, so I printed – I was only in university at the time – the work the professors gave and I went to take it home, by bike. The period was really special! »
Arrived in Auch in 2012, in Mathalin, where he remained until 2018, he experienced the transformation of his profession, but also the changes in National Education. “Today we attach great importance to inclusion, that of children with disabilities. This is a very good thing, because before we didn’t take this diversity into account, there was no development. But this presents complications for teachers. Administrative burdens have also increased. The days of two or three emails are long gone. “It seems to never stop now,” laughs the principal. On the other hand, Jean-Claude Daures never felt a deterioration of the climate between college and parents. “In both rural and urban areas, I have only ever observed a lack of, alas, parental presence, but no aggression! On the contrary, the relationships are courteous. »
Students first
The change is most evident among students. “When I started, there were no cell phones or social networks. The vast majority of relationship problems among students are made worse by networks. Even if telephones are forbidden during the day, everything degenerates in the evening. An invisible world, which largely escapes adults. “For children it is terrible! Children who remain at the heart of Jean-Claude Daures’ profession and the happiness he finds in practicing it. “The best moments are when he meets a former student, and he tells you that he has a job, that he fits into his life. The main road is the one that leads to completion. Also, when the principal has a slight drop in morale, the order is simple: “I’m going out for a walk in the courtyard, I’m going to talk to the students, and that gives you energy!” »
After college activities
Jean-Claude Daures will not remain idle once he retires, who intends to move to Auch. One of his passions is live performances. He participates in the creations of the company Et zou! Site & Cap, active in the West of the Gers. This former classical guitarist also plans to get involved in the Jeunesses musicales de France, and why take up the instrument again? “I’m also thinking about joining the Ornithological Society! »
