School Strike Alert: What’s the Plan for Parents? Essential Info Inside!

The national strike on September 10 is expected to be widespread, affecting many sectors, including national education. Numerous unions are participating: SUD Éducation, SNES-FSU (for secondary education), and federations of SNUipp-FSU (for primary education). The Union of High School Syndicates (USL) is also calling for blockades of institutions. The impact varies by school, including class cancellations, disorganized cafeterias, and absent teachers. These mobilization days often raise the same questions for parents: can a school refuse a child? Is care provided anyway? Here’s what you need to know.

Is there a minimum service provided in schools during a strike?

Minimum service is mandatory during strikes in primary schools under certain conditions. Indeed, primary and elementary schools are required to ensure minimum service for all their students. However, daycares and after-school care are not subject to this requirement. Regardless, it’s the responsibility of the school principal to notify and inform parents about expected disruptions during a strike day.

Provision of care in public schools during a strike:

• If less than 25% of teachers are striking, it’s up to the academy’s rectorate to organize student care in collaboration with school principals and non-striking teachers. Students are then received within their own school.
• If more than 25% of teachers declare a strike, the care service is set up by the municipality of the child’s school. The care location is also chosen by the authorities (community hall, recreation center, etc.).

Provision of care in private schools during a strike:

In private schools, the care service during a strike is organized by the managing body of the school.

Can a student be refused entry to school during a strike?

In primary education, even if a strike is scheduled at a school, a student cannot be refused entry. “A student in primary school (kindergarten or elementary) must be received during class time, even if their teacher is absent. This service is free and is provided differently in public and private contracted schools,” states the Ministry of the Interior’s website, according to the law in effect since 2008.

What to do if your child’s school or classroom is closed?

If your child’s school or classroom is closed due to a strike, you can generally rely on the minimum service, which must be implemented in primary schools. In situations where no care service is available, parents need to find alternative childcare solutions. Without an alternative, some parents may even need to take a day off or work from home with their children.

How does the right to strike work in National Education?

In France, the right to strike in National Education comes with certain obligations. In primary education, school teachers must announce their intent to strike at least 48 hours in advance, on a working day. Therefore, it’s not possible to declare a strike on Friday if the strike is set for Monday. If a teacher fails to inform their administration, they may face disciplinary action, according to the Public Service website. Advice: don’t hesitate to contact the school’s administration a few days before or the day before to get details about the upcoming mobilization.