Sylvie Retailleau, former Minister of Higher Education and Research, criticized the proposed budget trajectory for higher education and research in 2025 as unrealistic and dangerous in a letter addressed to former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The budget plan, which includes a decrease of 300 million euros for higher education and research, was outlined in a document summarizing the projected expenditure limits for each ministry. This document, based on budget ceilings signed by Gabriel Attal, serves as a technical basis for budget preparation and does not indicate final decisions that may be made by the future government.
Retailleau expressed concern about the insufficient funding allocated for student grant reform and the Research Programming Law (LPR). She highlighted the downward trend in social criteria-based grants and emphasized the need for the next government to follow up on the reform initiated in 2023. Retailleau also noted a significant shortfall in funding for research, despite President Macron’s commitment to allocate more resources to the LPR. She pointed out a lack of 320 million euros in credits and the creation of 250 jobs, highlighting the challenges faced by the research and higher education mission due to budget cuts in 2024.
The proposed budget plan for 2025, which includes a total of 31.3 billion euros for higher education and research, sparked concerns among stakeholders in the education sector. The document, prepared by the Prime Minister’s office, outlines projected expenditure limits for each ministry and serves as a basis for budget preparation. Retailleau’s letter to Gabriel Attal highlighted the potential negative impact of the budget trajectory on various areas, including student grants and research funding, urging the future government to address these issues and provide adequate resources for these critical initiatives.
The letter from Retailleau also emphasized the importance of addressing the funding gap in research and higher education to ensure the success of key reforms and programs. Despite previous commitments to increase resources for research, the proposed budget plan for 2025 falls short of meeting the needs of these sectors. Retailleau’s concerns underscore the challenges faced by the education and research community in securing sufficient funding and resources to support their work and advance important initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education and research in France.
In conclusion, Sylvie Retailleau’s letter to former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal sheds light on the critical issues facing the higher education and research sectors in France, particularly in relation to funding and resource allocation. The proposed budget trajectory for 2025 has been met with skepticism and criticism, with concerns raised about the potential negative impact on key reforms and programs. Retailleau’s call for increased funding and resources for student grants and research reflects the broader challenges facing the education sector in France and the need for a more strategic and sustainable approach to budget planning and allocation.
