Education minister defends job cuts

EDUCATION Minister Xavier Darcos today defended job cuts and reforms in the face of a national teachers strike.

Teachers from pre-school through to university are protesting against government reforms include changes to the curriculum, the end of Saturday school, a reduction in standard teaching hours and the introduction of extra lessons targetted at weak pupils.

As part of the reforms 11,200 jobs were cut this year and 13,500 are envisioned for 2009. They have come largely through the non-replacement of retiring staff.

Some unions have predicted a high particpation rate with up to 70% of members taking part.

Speaking on RTL Mr Darcos said: “The job cuts are going to continue. What counts is the manner in which we organise ourselves and the services that teachers provide, not simply their number.”

“The resistance that we’re encountering proves that we’re being effective,” said Mr Darcos who added that the strikes were merely a knee-jerk union reaction.

“Such protests are an old-fashioned way of approaching problems,” he added, “Teachers merit more than unions who only organise resistance to change.”

“The 21st Century has barely begun but already we’ve seen 33 national protests by teachers. Do you know any other profession that strikes more than four times a year?

“France is advancing faster than these marchers, can the unions not hear the sound of change?” he said.

He said the fact that some left-wing authorities had claimed that it was impossible to organise minimum service during the strikes was “a joke”.

“All the other right-wing authorities have managed. It’s not a question of organisation, but political will,” he said.

“The socialists have created a double-blow to parents. Not only can their children not go to school, but they have to take a day off work. That’s forced time off,” he said.

Photo:Service photo de Matignon