Xavier Darcos

Under Xavier Darcos, the Education Ministry undertook major job cuts under a policy of not replacing one in two retiring civil servants: more than 11 000 positions in 2008 and approximately 13 500 announced for 2009. Pupils, teachers and unions organised repeated protests.

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Political responsibility

Xavier Darcos and Valérie Pécresse launched the 'masterisation' reform, raising teacher recruitment qualifications to master's level and removing the previous paid training year at IUFM teacher training institutes. The reform prompted strong opposition from universities, trainers and unions, which denounced deteriorating practical training.

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Political responsibility

Xavier Darcos announced the redeployment of 3 000 of approximately 9 000 specialised teachers working in networks supporting pupils with learning difficulties (RASED) to mainstream classes. The measure caused outrage among teachers and parents, who feared the gradual disappearance of support dedicated to the most vulnerable pupils.

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Political responsibility

Xavier Darcos accelerated relaxation of school catchment rules and announced their effective abolition, giving families more opportunities to seek schools outside their designated area. Opponents warned that the arrangement would increase educational segregation by concentrating disadvantage in certain secondary schools.

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Political responsibility

Xavier Darcos introduced and legislated for minimum supervision of children in primary schools during strikes, involving municipalities and requiring teachers to give advance notice of their intention to strike. Unions and mayors denounced interference with the right to strike and a complex transfer of responsibilities.

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Political responsibility

Xavier Darcos caused major controversy by publicly questioning the need to recruit teachers with five years of higher education to put very young children to sleep or change nappies at nursery school. Teachers saw the remarks as devaluing their profession and challenging schooling for children under three.

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Personally implicated

Xavier Darcos's proposal to reform the first year of upper secondary school, notably through a common curriculum and modules, sparked strong mobilisation by pupils and teachers in autumn 2008, with demonstrations and blockades. On 15 December, Darcos announced that the reform would be postponed for several months.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility