France implements new security measures for teachers

The French Ministry of Education has introduced several measures for the new school year to enhance the security of teaching staff following a series of violent incidents and attacks. Minister Édouard Geffray reported that over 27,500 checks have been conducted near educational establishments since March 2025, resulting in the recovery of nearly 1,000 bladed weapons.

To address physical vulnerabilities, the ministry continues to provide financial support for renovating alarms, gates, and fences, with 900 schools receiving aid since 2004. Additionally, the government announced the creation of 300 new positions for nurses, social workers, and psychologists by 2026 to support student well-being.

However, the measures have faced criticism from unions. Sophie Vénétitay, general secretary of Snes-FSU, argued that security policies alone are insufficient and that the underlying issue of student violence cannot be resolved without addressing the human aspect of the school climate. Unions are calling for increased resources to manage student mental health. The ministry also noted that 30% of serious incidents in primary education involve altercations with parents.