The Senate votes for “a functional authority” for school principals

Parliamentarians go to the bedside of school principals. The Senate dominated by the right – wing opposition voted Wednesday, after the National Assembly and with a favorable opinion from the government, for the principle of a “functional authority of school directors”. The measure is however strongly criticized on the left.

The LREM bill “creating the function of school director”, adopted last summer at first reading by the deputies, intends to facilitate the task of school directors. It was adopted at first reading by the upper house, with significant modifications, by 251 votes in favor and 92 against (PS, CRCE with a communist majority, environmentalists).

Authority under debate

The text provides in particular that school principals have a “managerial job” and benefit from “a delegation of powers from the academic authority” for the proper functioning of the school. “The legal status quo has become untenable,” said rapporteur Julien Bargeton (majority RDPI En Marche).

One point is consensus: school principals, who have seen their responsibilities highlighted by the Covid-19 epidemic, need better recognition and support. But the question of authority was debated. The Senate has indeed voted on the amendments made by Max Brisson (LR) and Sonia de La Provôté (centrist) which gives them “a functional authority”. According to Max Brisson, this authority would be entrusted to them “as part of their mission, and thus limited to administrative and organizational missions”.

“Some progress” all the same for the left

The concept of functional authority “seems appropriate, pragmatic”, supported the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer. But the amendment sparked an outcry on the left of the hemicycle. “It can be compared to the beginning of hierarchical authority” of the director over the other teachers, said Sylvie Robert (PS). The more so, noted Pierre Ouzoulias (CRCE), that the senators deleted in the text resulting from the Assembly the mention of a lack of hierarchical authority of the director over the other teachers.

The left nevertheless welcomed “some progress”, in particular the inclusion in the law of the principle according to which the school principal can benefit from a teaching discharge. “94% of principals combine class load and school principal”, underlined Julien Bargeton. The text resulting from the Assembly also provided that the State and the communities could provide “administrative and material assistance”. The Senate excluded communities, believing that it is up to the state to ensure this support.

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