Criticism of substitute teacher assignment

The government's plan to assign 3000 substitute teachers to high schools has faced strong opposition from educational unions. Sophie Vénétitay, the general secretary of the Snes-FSU, called the announcement "a deception," arguing that it is not feasible to provide a one-to-one replacement for every teacher vacancy, as demanded by students and educators.

Substitute shortages in Créteil

In Créteil, all available temporary substitute teachers (TZR) are being directed to "red" high schools—those with the most severe teacher shortages—regardless of their specific teaching discipline. This approach has left the local education authority unable to cover all needed positions, especially in subjects like social and economic sciences.

Flexible discipline assignments in Bordeaux

In Bordeaux, the rectorate is considering assigning TZR to related disciplines, such as using a math teacher for a technology class, if both the teacher and the IPR (Inspector of Pedagogical Research) agree. If refused, substitutes might be used in unrelated subjects, a practice that unions strongly oppose. The region needs to cover the equivalent of 70 full-time teaching positions.

Delayed action in Orléans-Tours

In Orléans-Tours, the rectorate plans to delay implementing the ministerial order for a few days and may use the Pacte—a legal framework for long-term replacements—to assign substitutes for more than 15 days, beyond what current regulations allow. In all three regions, the goal of a one-to-one replacement for every absent teacher is not being fully achieved.

Minister's earlier statements

Minister Edouard Geffray had previously told TF1 television news on October 8 that 114 high schools are classified as "red" (severely understaffed) and 400 as "orange" (moderately understaffed). He said that 3000 teachers are currently not teaching but wish to do so, and that assigning them had been difficult until now.