Nîmes, France – A “dead college” protest is underway at Collège Feuchères in Nîmes today, February 18, 2026, as teachers and parents voice strong opposition to planned staffing reductions and what they describe as deteriorating learning conditions. The action, supported by education unions SNES-FSU and parent organization FCPE, aims to highlight concerns over increasing class sizes and a lack of support staff.
The protest centers on a decision to cut the school’s overall teaching hours, a move that educators fear will negatively impact the quality of education for the 794 students expected to enroll in the fall. Representatives warn that the current allocation is “insufficient and dehumanized,” failing to meet the pedagogical and educational needs of the student body. The situation has prompted a call for parents to keep their children home from school today in a show of solidarity.
Growing Class Sizes Fuel Concerns
According to the SNES-FSU, some incoming 6th-grade classes could reach 30 students in 2026, despite a slight overall decline in the school’s total enrollment. School administration states the maximum class size currently projected is 29 students. Regardless, the prospect of larger classes is raising alarms about the ability of teachers to provide individualized attention and maintain a positive learning environment. The average class size is projected to be 27.37 students, significantly higher than the European average of around 21 students per class, according to the union.
The school’s governing board voted against the proposed staffing allocation on February 16, citing its inadequacy. Protesters are specifically demanding the reinstatement of a 4th-grade class that is slated for closure and the addition of recent classes in 6th, 5th, and 3rd grades. They argue that these measures are essential to address the growing needs of the student population.
Lack of Support Staff Adds to the Pressure
Beyond classroom sizes, concerns are mounting over a shortage of support staff, including school nurses, social workers, and educational psychologists. Without adequate staffing in these critical areas, teachers and school administrators are struggling to provide comprehensive support to students facing academic or emotional challenges. The lack of a full-time school nurse, social worker, or psychologist means that existing staff are often stretched thin, responding to student needs “in emergency situations and without sufficient resources,” according to protest organizers.
The action at Collège Feuchères is part of a broader trend of protests across France as educators and parents grapple with funding cuts and increasing pressure on the public education system. The situation at Feuchères highlights the challenges faced by schools in providing quality education with limited resources.
The protest organizers emphasize that the “dead college” action is intended to send a clear message to education officials about the urgent need for increased funding and support for schools in the Nîmes region. They hope to draw attention to the detrimental effects of staffing cuts on student learning and well-being.
What comes next will depend on the response from regional education authorities. The outcome of this protest could set a precedent for similar actions at other schools facing similar challenges. The situation at Collège Feuchères will be closely watched by educators and parents throughout France.
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