What does the “desert college” operation consist of, which affects schools throughout France?

Philippe Folgado // Photo credit: Eric Broncard / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 4:51 p.m., March 21, 2024

Parents and teaching staff united in the same protest movement. Opposed to the measures planned in the "shock of knowledge" of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, the Federation of Parents' Councils (FCPE) imagined the "desert college" operation.

Parents as teachers opposed to “level groups”

This operation, launched three weeks ago, aims to encourage parents not to send their children to college. Teachers, who are not on strike, then welcome students who cannot stay at home.

A way for everyone to oppose the new measures that must be put in place at the next school year. The measure to establish "level groups" in sixth and fifth grade in French and mathematics, announced by Gabriel Attal in December, then Minister of National Education, is the one which has attracted the most criticism. 

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Students will be separated into three groups: “needs”, “low to average” and “beyond satisfactory”. Teachers regret the "sorting" imposed on students and fear possible stigmatization of children who will be in the weakest group. The “shock of knowledge” also provides for preparatory classes in second year, a compulsory internship in second year or the establishment of standardized national assessments.

The “desert college” operation is taking place in several cities in France. On March 12, 25 Parisian colleges participated in this type of action. This Thursday, the operation was planned in several educational establishments in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, strongly mobilized for several weeks to denounce the lack of resources, but also in Bordeaux.