Enrollment Trends and Staffing Challenges
The 2026-2027 school year has ushered in some notable changes in student enrollment across various educational levels. At the primary level, six new classes have been introduced this year; however, the overall increase in student numbers stands at just 10 compared to the previous year. This seemingly minimal growth can be attributed to a significant number of departures and withdrawals, despite a considerable influx of new students into the institutions. In contrast, the secondary level has seen the establishment of five new classes, all of which are fully enrolled, indicating a healthier demand for secondary education.
Infrastructure Developments and Concerns
Moving on to infrastructure, the anticipated new building designed to accommodate staff and students is yet to be ready for the start of the school year. Consequently, a temporary solution has been implemented, with classes for CE2 and CM1 being held in the old kindergarten facilities. This unexpected situation has necessitated a substantial commitment from faculty members, many of whom have dedicated personal time to facilitate the move and ensure that classrooms are adequately prepared for students. It is important to note that another relocation will be necessary once the permanent building is ready, prompting staff to request that their work hours be officially considered for this transition. They propose that the Friday before the upcoming holidays be designated for packing and organizing educational materials, followed by a similar arrangement on the Monday of the new term to facilitate the setup in new classrooms.
Furthermore, the disparity in the air conditioning capabilities across the Victor-Hugo educational complex has raised concerns. While some classrooms are equipped with air conditioning, others rely solely on outdated air treatment systems, which have fallen into disrepair. In response to these issues, an audit has highlighted the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the existing installation. The future Building D is expected to feature a new air treatment system, promising improved cooling for classrooms. The institution has also experimented with renting portable air conditioners; however, this solution has proven to be both ineffective and costly. The SE-Unsa emphasizes the need for sustainable solutions to ensure that all facilities are equipped to handle extreme heat, thereby maintaining acceptable teaching and working conditions.
Moreover, recent developments regarding enrollment fees have sparked significant concern among staff members. Colleagues on detachment have been required to pay the initial registration fees upfront, even before receiving corresponding reimbursements. This situation forces them to advance amounts as high as 30,000 DH, which poses a considerable financial burden for families. The SE-Unsa is advocating for more flexible arrangements, such as allowing for the payment of registration fees to be staggered or postponed until reimbursement is received from the AEFE. It is deemed unreasonable for staff to be expected to front such substantial amounts without prior support from the agency.
In response to ongoing reforms at the Agency, the feared wave of contract terminations has not materialized; however, it has come at the cost of job losses among staff on detachment. Currently, the focus has shifted to the resident staff, with 22 out of 31 school restructuring measures and position closures directly affecting them. This initial step raises alarm bells, especially as the cost associated with these personnel has been highlighted in inspection reports. Even more concerning is the news that some colleagues who had their detachments approved for 2027 are now facing position eliminations and non-renewal of their contracts. The SE-Unsa asserts that personnel should not become pawns in the AEFE reform process.
Additionally, the SE-Unsa has persistently raised concerns regarding the reform of family allowances, warning that it cannot be implemented hastily without severe repercussions for certain staff members and their families. Reports from Morocco indicate that some colleagues are facing annual losses of up to €1,500 per child, equating to thousands of euros for some families. This abrupt decline in purchasing power was unforeseen, as the Agency failed to communicate the changes until after the decree was published. To prevent such detrimental outcomes, the SE-Unsa had called for a moratorium to inform staff, assess individual impacts, and allow families adequate time to adjust. The lack of response to these warnings has led to real and significant consequences today. The SE-Unsa is now urging the AEFE to carefully evaluate the impact of this reform and provide support to those most adversely affected.
In a related matter, a commission dedicated to health and safety at work met at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, during which two serious issues were raised. While an oral response was provided to the reported situations, the SE-Unsa insists that a written response is essential to ensure proper documentation and follow-up on recurring issues. The SST register should be available in the human resources office, and staff are encouraged to utilize it whenever their working conditions, health, or safety are compromised.
Moreover, staff members have faced challenges accessing certain academic sites and I-Prof from Morocco, which are crucial for various administrative tasks and career management for detached personnel. The SE-Unsa is calling for an investigation into these access issues and the implementation of solutions to ensure that staff working abroad can access the same services as their counterparts in France.
Lastly, the reliability of national assessments is under scrutiny due to the accessibility of tests online. Parents can potentially prepare their children in advance for these assessments, raising concerns about the validity of results and questioning the assessments' effectiveness as a true gauge of students’ acquired knowledge. Therefore, the issue of reliability and relevance of results obtained under these circumstances remains a critical topic for discussion.
As reported by se-unsa.org.
