On the front door of the La Maourine nursery school, Borderouge district in Toulouse, the teachers hung three large white sheets on which we can read: “Friday November 29 1 teacher and 2 ATSEM not replaced, Monday December 2, 2 ATSEM not replaced”, the sentences each time punctuated by several exclamation points. Anger is brewing among teachers, especially those in primary schools. The call for a strike by public service unions promises to be very popular among primary school teachers in Haute-Garonne with nearly 85% of strikers according to FSU-SNUIPP 31. More than 150 schools will be closed in the department this Thursday.
Very active strike in primary schools in Haute-Garonne
With the schoolbag of her 5-year-old boy in her hands, Charlène, understands the anger of the teachers: “I completely understand the teaching strike. I don't understand why we always ask them for more and they always do more. We cut back on their daily lives.” Charlène also plans to go to the demonstration this Thursday at Jean Jaurès in Toulouse to support the teachers. A stone's throw from her, Christian, who came to pick up his little boy from school, will also be in the procession. His son has a disability and must have had an AESH for a year to accompany him during class, except that the position was never awarded due to lack of budget: “the other day we had a meeting with the school that told us that my son had to repeat a year because he couldn't keep up on his own. It's difficult for us parents, we have a real feeling of abandonment.”
According to the primary school parents' association, there are currently four AESH missing in kindergarten and almost as many in elementary classes. Same thing for ATSEM positions, their number should be doubled, according to them, to achieve a correct situation. Staffing problems that must be added to replacement problems as Axel Renoux explains. His two sons attend La Maourine school. “When teachers are on sick leave, they are not replaced; one of the teachers will be on maternity leave soon, we still don't know if she will be replaced. All of this has consequences for our children, starting with their learning.”
Several gatherings throughout Occitania
And the government's latest announcements in mid-October 2024 have not reassured parents. Carole Feral, member of the school's parents' association, doesn't understand the logic: “the government plans to close nearly 100 classes next year in the department under the pretext that there is a demographic decline. However we should take advantage of the fact that classes will be less busy to improve learning conditions which are very complicated even today.”
Several gatherings are planned throughout Occitanie. In Haute-Garonne: a demonstration is planned for 2 p.m., at Jean Jaurès in Toulouse. In Muret, demonstration at 10:30 a.m. in front of the sub-prefecture. In Saint-Gaudens, finally, the gathering is at 10 a.m. on Place du Pilat. In the Tarn: demonstration, Place Soult, 10:30 a.m. in Castres; in Albi, place du Vigan, at 2:30 p.m.. In Tarn-et-Garonne, finally Montauban, gathering of National Education staff in front of the DSDEN at 9 a.m., then demonstration leaving the Prefecture at 10:30 a.m.
