This is a unique and extraordinary status in France, but it is suspended. In Paris, 593 of 626 state schools benefited from management relief. In this way, the directors of kindergartens and elementary schools can devote themselves completely to the administrative and educational projects in which they are established.
The proactive policy of the city of Paris, which began in 1982, is still being questioned by the regional chamber of accountants (CRC). As in the latest report published last week. The CRC recommended ending this extraordinary regime representing 348 full-time workers.
Moratorium
At the end of February, the Paris academy announced the suspension of this regime. After protests from Paris elected officials of all parties, educational staff but also parents, Élisabeth Borne announced in March a moratorium suspending this decision.
The appointment of the new Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray at the end of October has revived the concerns of directors who, together with teaching unions, parents and elected officials, are mobilizing this Wednesday at 14.00. in front of the Paris rectorate headquarters located at the Sorbonne (Ve).
“In September, we were still confident of the positive outcome of the consultation launched regarding the director profession, but we were informed a few weeks ago by the union of a possible turnaround,” warns Thomas Watanabe-Vermorel, co-president of Adep75 (the Paris association of principals).
As part of an agreement between the State and the City of Paris, Paris exceptions are financially compensated by city hall. In 2019, they stopped paying compensation, the total of which at the end of the 2023-2024 school year amounted to 120 million euros according to the Ministry of Education.
A list taken up by the Court of Auditors last school year ordered the State to end it. In France, a school director is exempt from giving lessons if his institution has at least twelve classes. To benefit from this system, the Municipality ensures that it pays the State, until 2019, 12 to 15 million euros as part of the agreement. But the State did not renew it in 2019.
“The decision is in the hands of the ministry”
“The mayor of Paris wrote to the new Minister of National Education to submit draft decrees and new conventions. The decision is in the hands of the ministry,” said the socialist mayor of Paris’ first deputy mayor in charge of Education Patrick Bloche, when presenting the report to the Paris Council last week.
“Abolishing management dismissals would weaken the entire Paris school system. I ask the city of Paris to secure this status,” also supported Paris councilor and mayor (Horizon) of the 9th arrondissement, Delphine Bürkli. When fellow communist Jean-Noël Aqua, for his part, invited the Ministry of National Education to “align” to “benefit from recognition of the leadership role of other communities”.
Executive housing rentals in line with the market?
Paris directors’ concerns have grown since the publication of the CRC’s latest report which continues to question the benefits the city of Paris provides them. In fact, the assembly asked for a review of the rental fees for housing that the city provides for those within the school premises. At a rate of 578.28 euros per month, costs must be added. Or an average total of 850-900 euros, according to Afep75. He recommended that the city align these packages with actual residential rental values.
“This is the case for around 60% of school principals in Paris. The salaries for management positions are as much as those of teachers, most of whom cannot find suitable accommodation in Paris. By utilizing on-site accommodation, we can simplify things when there is work and subjects to manage outside class hours. This proactive effort from the city of Paris makes school management a little more attractive,” explains Thomas Watanabe-Vermorel. According to him, only 1% of new elementary school teachers live in Paris.
In fact, the Municipality explains that “in the context of rising housing costs, (…) this contributes to the attraction of these functions in tension and, on the other hand, to facilitating communication with families, which is an important factor of co-education and loyalty in the public education sector”.
