Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire Launches Citizen Panel on After‑School Safety Amid Abuse Scandal

Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire of Paris announced a citizen convention of 80 randomly selected parents to review the city’s after‑school (périscolaire) schedule and child‑protection measures. The panel will examine the current 4.5‑day school week, seek ways to prevent isolated childcare staff, and issue recommendations by 22 June.

The initiative comes amid a wave of sexual‑abuse accusations in Paris schools: 78 municipal employees have been suspended, 31 on suspicion of sexual misconduct, and investigations have been opened into 84 kindergartens, dozens of primary schools and several crèches. Grégoire stressed that parents must regain confidence in schools and praised the accelerated pace of the investigations. A 20‑million‑euro action plan, announced in April, will fund reforms of after‑school services and improve staff professionalisation.