France cuts 40 million euros from school thermal renovation budget
France cuts 40 million euros from school thermal renovation funding amid infrastructure pressures.
Event / Society
France Teacher Shortage 2026
French secondary schools face widespread teacher shortages at the start of the 2026 academic year. Union surveys indicate over half of collèges and lycées lack at least one teacher, with the majority having incomplete pedagogical staff. The government disputes staffing figures while cutting school renovation funding.
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2026-09-07 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Sept, 18:07 UTC
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What happened
Snes-FSU compares 2026 teacher shortage to previous year showing minimal improvement
The Snes-FSU union's 2026 survey found 53% of secondary schools with missing teachers, compared to 55% in the previous year's similar survey, indicating the situation remains severely degraded despite claimed improvements.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray claims teaching recruitment improved following exam reform
Education Minister Édouard Geffray stated that teaching recruitment improved this year due to moving the teacher qualification exam to the bac+3 level, claiming the positions were fully staffed.
Snes-FSU survey finds 53% of French middle and high schools lack at least one teacher
A Snes-FSU union survey of 1,033 public secondary schools conducted from August 31 to September 4, 2026, found that at least one teacher was missing in 53% of collèges and lycées at the start of the school year. Mathematics, French, physics-chemistry, and English were among the most affected disciplines.
Hundreds of contract teachers in Paris have contracts non-renewed for 2026 school year
Several hundred temporary contract teachers in the Paris education district (académie de Paris) learned at the end of summer that their contracts would not be renewed for the 2026 school year.
69% of French secondary schools report incomplete pedagogical or educational staff
When accounting for all educational staff including teachers, school counselors, education psychologists, teaching assistants, and special education aides, 69% of establishments reported at least one missing staff member, according to Snes-FSU.
French government cuts 40 million euros from school thermal renovation plan
The French government reduced funding for the school thermal renovation plan by 40 million euros, a plan that had been announced in June 2026.
Créteil education district reports 416 non-renewed temporary teacher contracts
The CGT union filed documentation with the Créteil education district (académie de Créteil) rectorat in late August concerning 416 temporary contract teachers whose contracts were not being renewed.
Ministry reports 96.1% of secondary school teaching positions filled, up from 90.6% previous year
The French Ministry of Education reported that 96.1% of teaching positions in collèges and lycées were filled for the 2026 school year, compared to 90.6% the previous year. In primary education, 98.5% of positions were filled, up from 92.1%.
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2 alternative perspectives
Hundreds of contract teachers lose jobs as districts halt renewals
Hundreds of contract teachers across Paris and Créteil face non-renewal for 2026.
Ministry reports significant improvement in teacher recruitment figures
Ministry claims significant teacher recruitment gains, but widespread school vacancies persist.
Nearly seven in ten French secondary schools report staff vacancies
Nearly seven in ten French secondary schools face staff vacancies with minimal year-over-year improvement.