The staff of a college in Sarcelles still on strike to protest against the increase in class numbers

Teachers and parents of the Anatole France college in Sarcelles in the Val-d’Oise continue their strike movement started last Monday. They intend to protest against the increase in numbers in the classes.

“Anger and concern are rising among staff and parents of students at Anatole France College in Sarcelles“, write in a press release, the staff of this REP (Priority Education Network) college in Val-d’Oise. They started their protest movement on Monday, March 7. Nearly 70% of teachers are on strike this Wednesday, March 9.

At the heart of their concerns, the number of students per class while the school positioning index is the lowest in the department. Some classes could reach 28 students.

“Until now, the teaching team has always maintained small numbers in the classes because they know full well that this is the framework that best ensures the progress and academic success of all.“, can we read in a press release.

Received by the DSDEN, the Directorate of Departmental Education Services, teachers and parents of students ask “the maintenance of 16 classes with numbers that do not exceed 25 students.”

Collective also points to make that the time allocation for the start of the 2022 academic year has been drastically reduced resulting in closures classes and positions. Thus, educational staff fear that these class closures will lead to increases in staff in other establishments.

“The educational choices that have worked so far should they not be encouraged by the administration and the minister?“, ask the authors of the press release.

According to them, the reduction in the number of students in the classes has made it possible to calm the school climate within the college and to facilitate the work of differentiation undertaken by the teaching teams. Their arguments: better personalized support, the reduction in the number of disciplinary councils and better success in college patents.

Finally, they believe that this reduction in staff had contributed to increasing student motivation.

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