Since December 5, the Saint-Jean-du-Gard primary school has been the scene of daily mobilization. At issue: the announcement of the closure of a kindergarten class and another in elementary school for the start of the September 2025 school year. A decision that the parents of students consider unacceptable, denouncing a future overload of school numbers and degraded learning conditions.
The school currently has eight classes: three in kindergarten for 57 children and five in elementary with 109 students. The announced closure would bring enrollment to 27 students per class. A prospect that worries parents as much as local elected officials. Pierre Aiguillon, mayor of the town, underlines that this decision comes in a difficult context, with temporary infrastructure installed since 2021 following radon contamination. “ The premises are unsanitary, and conditions will not improve if classes close », he warns.
A whole village mobilized
On Friday January 10, a delegation will be received by the assistant to the academic director of national education services (Dasen). Parents hope to make their demands heard and point out that their mobilization is part of a qualitative logic. “ Decisions should not be based on accounting criteria, but on the well-being and learning of our children », insists Orane Teissonnière, mother of a student.
Municipal projects aim to alleviate the structural difficulties of the school. An extension and renovation of the existing premises should start in September 2025. New spaces for the canteen, dormitories and toilets are planned. Pierre Aiguillon remains optimistic: “ With the renovation of the Mûriers social housing, we hope for the arrival of new families and, ultimately, the reopening of classes. » The final decision should be taken during the Departmental Council of National Education (CDEN) in February. In the meantime, parents promise to maintain pressure and increase actions if their demands are not heard. Their petition has already gathered nearly 1,300 signatures, demonstrating a surge of solidarity throughout the village.
The petition against the closure was posted online on Change.org
