Ei-iE

The CFDT Public Education, Training and Research Federation and its member unions recognise that “inclusive education represents a major democratic advance, by affirming the right of every child to learn within the French education system, regardless of their specific needs”. But the implementation of this principle is currently facing numerous obstacles. That is why these French trade unions are organising a week of action, “Déposons nos cartables, pas nos convictions” (Let’s lay down our schoolbags, not our convictions), from 17 to 21 November 2025, to defend inclusive education and all the staff working to provide it.

Staff struggling with mounting fatigue and difficulties

The CFDT Public Education, Training and Research Federation reports that staff are experiencing mounting fatigue and difficulties as a result of arrangements that are often viewed as ill-adapted or inadequate: “The ‘mainstream schools for everyone’ approach promoted by the public authorities all too often results in inclusion by default without sufficient resources, to the detriment of the pupils concerned and their classmates, and a loss of meaning in the work of the staff involved. For the sake of equity and efficiency, this situation cannot be allowed to go on!”

Together with its member unions, the federation believes that negotiations urgently need to be initiated to enable support workers for pupils with disabilities to benefit from category B civil servant status, as demanded since last May by the inter-union petition that has gathered over 80,000 signatures.

It also underlines the fact that “short-sighted public policies have serious financial, human and societal costs”.

For inclusive, ambitious and sustainable schools

The federation adds: “We want a society where everyone is able to find their place and succeed in life. We call on all public education employees, from nursery school to secondary school, to join our mobilisation everywhere in France to share professional experiences illustrating the real work done by the staff who strive every day to make schools inclusive. These observations and proposals, taken from the ground, will be used to build the portfolio of demands that we present to the decision-makers to support ambitious and sustainable inclusive schooling.”

During the “Déposons nos cartables” week of action, the unions affiliated to the CFDT Public Education, Training and Research Federation will promote events throughout France, metropolitan and overseas, to put these demands in the spotlight.

International solidarity with education support staff

Education International supports the call for full recognition of the essential work carried out by staff supporting pupils with disabilities in France.

Through numerous resolutions adopted at its world congresses and conferences dedicated to education support personnel, EI has consistently reiterated that these personnel are essential to providing quality education and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment. They must be recognised for the work they do within the education community and enjoy the same status, rights and conditions as other education staff with similar academic and professional qualifications and the same level of experience.