Several unions, including the SNES-FSU, the major organization in middle schools and high schools, are calling for a new day of strike and demonstrations on Tuesday, April 2, to demand the abandonment of ability grouping in middle school and to obtain more resources. The call is also supported by the SNEP-FSU (physical education and sports), SUD-Education, CGT-Educ’action, and FNEC-FP-FO. The establishment of “ability groups”, one of the key measures of the “shock of knowledge” reform launched by Gabriel Attal, is denounced by a large part of the educational community, which refers to it as “student sorting”, according to the joint union statement.
Manifestations are being organized in numerous cities. In Paris, the demonstration will start from the surroundings of the Luxembourg garden around 2 p.m. In addition to the withdrawal of the “shock of knowledge” reform, the unions are demanding from the government “a salary increase without conditions and resources for public schools.” The unions state, “For months, staff have been mobilizing against ability grouping. Strikes on February 1 and 6, local actions, votes against ‘the shock of knowledge’ in the CSE, public meetings with parents, ‘dead schools’ operation… Our organizations will support all ongoing strikes where possible.”
In the Paris region, the evolution of the mobilization will be closely watched by teaching staff in Seine-Saint-Denis, who are strongly opposed to ability grouping and are calling for an “emergency plan” for education in this disadvantaged department. On Friday, the Minister of National Education, Nicole Belloubet, met with nine of the twelve deputies of Seine-Saint-Denis at their request. According to these left-wing parliamentarians, the minister “underestimates” the extent of the movement. The order providing for the establishment of “groups” in mathematics and French in middle school was published on March 17 in the Official Journal, with a wording that does not use the term “ability groups” as Gabriel Attal did: it refers to groups “formed according to the needs of the students,” according to the terminology put forward by Ms. Belloubet. They will come into effect at the start of the school year 2024 for 6th and 5th grades, and in 2025 for 4th and 3rd grades.
Overall, the education community is mobilizing against ability grouping in schools, with various unions leading strikes and demonstrations to demand its abandonment and more resources for public education. The government’s reform measures, such as the establishment of ability groups, have faced strong opposition from teachers and educators who see it as a form of student sorting. The situation has led to ongoing protests and calls for a revaluation of salaries and increased funding for schools. The Minister of National Education has met with deputies from Seine-Saint-Denis to address their concerns and clarify the government’s position on the issue.
Despite the government’s attempt to frame the groups as formed based on student needs rather than ability levels, the opposition persists among educators who see it as a compromise that does not address the underlying issues. The unions continue to support ongoing strikes and mobilization against the reform measures, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable education system. The situation remains tense, with the outcome uncertain as both sides dig in their heels on the issue of ability grouping in schools. The future of education policy in France hangs in the balance as the debate over this reform continues to divide opinions within the educational community.
