Staff shortages affect 69% of French secondary schools

A survey by the teachers' union SNES-FSU reveals that approximately 69% of French middle and high schools (collèges and lycées) began the new school year with staff shortages. The report indicates that the deficit includes not only teachers but also school psychologists, supervisors, and assistants for students with disabilities.

According to the data, 53% of these institutions are missing at least one teacher. The shortage of specialized staff, such as AESH (assistants for students with disabilities) and PsyEN (school psychologists), has led union representatives to describe a “crisis of inclusive education.”

While Education Minister Édouard Geffray previously suggested that long-term teacher absences would be limited, the union's findings present a more strained reality. The shortages affect various regions, with significant impacts reported in academies such as Toulouse, Aix-Marseille, and Nantes. The union notes that while the percentage is slightly lower than the 73% reported in 2025, the situation remains highly degraded.