Agen, France – Educators and parents in the Lot-et-Garonne department are preparing for a departmental mobilization on March 12th, protesting planned cuts to education positions for the 2026 school year. The protest, organized by the collective for the defense of public schools in Lot-et-Garonne and various labor unions, will commence at 1:30 PM in front of the Departmental Directorate of National Education (DSDEN) on Rue Roland-Goumy.
According to preliminary figures released by the inter-union, the proposed cuts include the elimination of 11.5 positions in primary education and 27 positions in secondary education. These reductions have sparked concerns about increased class sizes, potential school closures, and the curtailment of specialized programs within colleges and high schools.
The collective defending public education has warned that the cuts will disproportionately affect students, potentially limiting their educational opportunities and hindering the region’s overall appeal. “The students risk paying the price,” a statement from the collective reads, adding that the decisions could also limit options for students’ future academic paths.
The planned demonstration follows a similar expression of concern earlier this month, with the collective already highlighting the pressures facing the public school system. A previous statement, published on March 4th, detailed instances of overcrowded classrooms and a lack of adequate support for students with special needs. One example cited involved a six-year-old student whose first-grade class was slated for elimination, forcing the child into a combined classroom spanning three grade levels.
Organizers are calling on parents, teachers, education staff, and concerned citizens to participate in the March 12th mobilization. They characterize the proposed cuts as a dismantling of the public school system and are demanding increased funding for the department. The SUD éducation Lot-et-Garonne union has also publicized the event, emphasizing the need for collective action.
The Department of National Education for Lot-et-Garonne, located at CUZORN, has not yet issued a public response to the planned protest or the specific concerns raised by the collective and unions. The DSDEN can be reached at 05.53.94.83.12 or via email at [email protected].
