Concerns are mounting at the Poitiers Academy regarding the allocation of resources for AESH (Accompanying Students with Disabilities) staff, professional expense reimbursements, and the shift towards remote training. These issues have prompted action from unions and staff representatives, culminating in a recent meeting with the rector.

the Impasse on AESH Recruitment

The central point of contention revolves around the academy’s stance on recruiting new AESH personnel. Despite urgent needs, the rector has confirmed the absence of a possibility of recruitment. This decision has triggered notable backlash, with unions vowing to escalate the matter to the ministry.

The lack of new hires directly impacts the support provided to students with disabilities, leading to a situation where tensions [are] generated by this non-compliance with support notifications and thus the law. The burden is then shifted to school heads and directors, who are reportedly being asked to make hours of support to plug the holes elsewhere. This Band-Aid solution is described as untenable for the supporters but also for the teams and their pilots.

Broader Impact on School Staff and Students

The AESH shortage is not an isolated problem. It exacerbates existing pressures on school teams, parents, and students. The article notes that tensions are palpable in teams, with parents, and in groups of students. The lack of adequate support structures leaves teams with limited options, especially given the scarcity of spaces in specialized care facilities. If for the support of the handicap, one cannot be limited to the only AESH, today, for lack of space in the care structures, it is indeed the only means which remains at the disposal of the teams.

Critical Shortage of School Doctors

Adding to the strain is a severe shortage of school doctors.The Poitiers academy faces a particularly dire situation, with 60 % of the positions [not] filled… against 40 % at the national level. this lack of medical professionals further compromises the well-being and support systems available to students.

Questions Surround Professional Expenses and Training

the reimbursement of professional expenses is another area of concern. Despite assurances that the budget has been very slightly increased and that some funds remain unspent, delays persist, attributed to the late vote of the finance law.

Furthermore, the shift towards remote training modalities has raised eyebrows. Despite claims of a considerable increase in the training budget, hierarchical directives have mandated that several essential training and accompaniments had to switch to distant for economic reasons. The rector has reportedly pledged to prioritize on-site training where possible, but unions are demanding clear and clear answers on the matter.

Demands for Transparency

In response to these issues, unions have formally requested detailed budgetary data from the rector and secretary general, including:

• The distribution of professional fees and consumption envelopes.
• A comprehensive mapping of all positions and employment ceilings, particularly for AESH staff, administrative personnel, and education assistants.
• Full transparency regarding the resources allocated to private education.

The unions emphasize that the public education service is in great suffering and that it would be unacceptable that we treat private education with more flexibility.

Remuneration Efforts and Future Goals

While some progress has been made in terms of remuneration, the unions stress the need for continued efforts to improve the visibility of vacant positions and to achieve salary parity for contract workers across different academies. If efforts in terms of remuneration have been able to respond in part to our demands, we must give ourselves the means to do a major work of visibility of vacant posts and continue to fight to reach a salary of contract workers equivalent to what has been acquired in other academies.

For further information,refer to the press release and the petition.