French schools to use VSS questionnaire

The French Ministry of National Education has announced plans to introduce a questionnaire on sexist and sexual violence (VSS) and bullying for students in public and private schools under contract. The initiative, announced by Edouard Geffray in late August, aims to "allow for the prevention, collection, detection, and handling of situations involving the physical or moral integrity of students." The decree is expected to be published in the Official Journal soon, despite receiving zero votes in favor at the Higher Education Council (CSE), an advisory body.

Five questionnaires for different grade levels

Five questionnaires have been created, tailored to different grade levels: one for the grande section to CE1; one for CE2 to CM2; one for the 6e and 5e; one for the 4e and 3e; and one for high school students. A "passing guide" will be distributed to staff, providing keys and instructions, particularly in cases of "difficulties that staff may encounter when collecting such statements." The questionnaire is to be administered between the Autumn and Christmas holidays, following a session on "education to affective and relational life" ("and to sexuality," starting from secondary school).

Voluntary participation and staff support

Students are not required to complete the questionnaire, nor, if they do, to provide their name. Their legal guardians also have the right to object to the administration of the questionnaire, in which case an individual interview will be conducted with the child. Staff who "believe they are not able to administer this questionnaire" will be replaced for this purpose. It is noted that it must be administered by "a team composed of a teacher and a professional in health and social services."

Manual analysis of responses

The analysis of the questionnaire responses (which only include questions with "yes" / "no" / "I don't know" answers) "should not be based on the use of software or artificial intelligence." The guide indicates that "when a named questionnaire reveals a situation that may indicate harassment or sexist or sexual violence, the concerned student is received in an interview by a member of the educational team." In the case of an anonymous questionnaire, "an information and awareness campaign is organized within the class or school."

Criticism and delays

Numerous alerts and comments from trade unions, associations, and organizations have been necessary since the announcement of the school year. The Ministry of Education, which had prepared the questionnaires in secret during the summer, wanted to move quickly, too quickly, in the opinion of professionals. Gwenaëlle Durand, general secretary of Snies-Unsa, lists several changes obtained after the various working groups, including the requirement for a team to administer the questionnaire and the presence of a health and social services professional during the analysis of responses.

Resource constraints and concerns

However, these improvements have not been sufficient to obtain a "yes" vote from the unions. Gwenaëlle Durand laments that "there are not enough health and social services professionals in schools and educational institutions, and the child protection and justice structures are already saturated." The recruitment of 300 health and social services professionals, announced by Edouard Geffray within the 2027 finance bill, will not be enough, given the current staffing levels. Aurélie Gagnier fears that if the law is adopted as is, the interview would only take place every four years, and the ministry opts for a questionnaire, which is cheaper.

Questionnaire effectiveness questioned

Beyond these difficulties, the nature of the questionnaire itself is criticized in light of the objective sought. Sandra Gaudillière from CGT éduc’action argues that "a detection tool is effective when the adult comes to the child. Here, it is up to the child to make the move, but it is less evident, due to phenomena of control, threats, or the attachment to parents that can prevent the reporting of incest." Aurélie Gagnier notes that "an interview with trained and qualified staff is clearly preferable." Denis Roth-Fichet, who recalls that Ciivise has always advocated for an interview rather than a questionnaire, "accepted to compromise for a period, until the personnel could be recruited."

Future plans for interviews

An individual interview for all students, from the grande section of kindergarten up to the age of 18, is planned by the comprehensive law against VSS, currently being examined by the National Assembly, starting in 2032. Until then, and if the law is adopted as is, the interview would only take place every four years. Thus, "due to lack of resources, the ministry opts for a questionnaire, which is cheaper," laments Sandra Gaudillière. At least, Denis Roth-Fichet notes, thanks to this questionnaire, "there will certainly be children who will be revealed and detected."