Call for education “day of action”

Education unions have called a ‘day of action’ on September 11 to protest at the loss of 24,700 jobs between 2008-9.

A spokesman for the FSU federation of teaching unions, which represents 90% of teaching personel said there was a possibility this could lead to local strikes.

FSU secretary general Gérard Aschieri said the protests would be ‘diverse’ and would be organised at a local level by different unions.

In the coming days they will be holding meetings with parents, teachers and students to decide on action following a break for exams and the summer holidays.

Marches and strikes against the government education plans took place earlier this year but were halted to allow students to sit exams.

Education minister Xavier Darcos has announced that this year 11,200 people will not be replaced when they retire, followed by 13,500 next year.

He is due to announce further education reforms for lycées today.

A total of 1.2 million staff work in the education sector – 800,000 are teachers.

Photo:Afp Frank Perry