The high school Maximilien-Perret was inaugurated in Alfortville, Val-de-Marne, on December 12, 1997. In addition to the 4,000 teacher positions that are set to be eliminated in the 2025 budget law, schools at all levels are also facing budget cuts from local authorities. These budget cuts are being made as a result of rising energy costs, inflation in the prices of commodities and food, and the elimination of tax revenue sources such as the housing tax. The local governments are under increasing financial strain due to these factors.
The government has requested that local authorities save 5 billion euros as part of the 2025 budget law, putting even more pressure on already constrained budgets. Departments responsible for funding secondary schools and primary schools are particularly affected. With a total of 63,000 buildings and nearly 157 million square meters of space, schools represent a significant portion of public assets. Local authorities are responsible for maintaining these buildings, covering heating costs, providing meals, and purchasing materials for the schools.
In the Nord department, a 30% reduction in funding for its 200 middle schools was approved on September 23, leading to savings of over 10 million euros. Despite an increase in the number of middle school students, the Essonne department in France has cut the budget for public middle schools by 430,000 euros out of a total of 7 million euros. The local government justifies these cuts as necessary due to a sharp decrease in revenue combined with rising mandatory social expenses.
As the schools are facing a significant budget decrease, principals are expressing concerns about how they will be able to manage. The Syndicat des personnels de direction de l’Education nationale (SNPDEN-UNSA) has written an open letter to the president of the department council, Christian Poiret, expressing their worries about the potential limitations and challenges in making necessary budget adjustments. Despite the challenges faced by schools, the local governments argue that these cuts are temporary and essential in the face of significant financial pressures and rising costs.
The strain on school budgets in France is part of a larger trend seen in other countries, where education systems are struggling to cope with financial constraints and increasing costs. As schools grapple with declining resources, educators, parents, and students are left to deal with the consequences of budget cuts on the quality of education and services provided. The situation highlights the need for sustainable funding solutions and support for schools to ensure that all students have access to quality education.
