Cour des comptes Reports Nearly 10% Loss of Teaching Hours in French Middle Schools for 2023-2024

The Cour des comptes has issued a report revealing a significant rise in lost teaching hours in French middle schools during the 2023-2024 academic year. According to the report released on December 12, 2024, 9% of scheduled teaching hours were not delivered, marking an increase from 8.3% in 2018-2019 and continuing a troubling trend despite government efforts.

The report highlights that this loss equates to 10.3 million hours of missed instruction for students in public colleges. The primary cause is the non-replacement of absent teachers, which accounts for approximately 8% of the lost hours. Other factors include school closures for weather or exams (1%) and teacher absences due to personal or institutional reasons, such as training and outings.

Significantly, the rate of teacher absences due to health issues has increased from 2.6% in 2018 to 4.1% in 2023, prompting the Cour des comptes to recommend improved health monitoring for educators. The report comes after concerns raised by Claire Hédon, the Defender of Rights, emphasizing persistent challenges in managing teacher absences.

Parental frustration has surfaced publicly, expressed through media, letters to education authorities, and even legal actions, reflecting the broader societal concern over educational disruption. The Cour des comptes' ongoing scrutiny since 2019 underscores that despite prior government focus, the situation has not improved adequately.

This report sheds light on the urgent need for structural solutions to address teacher absences and ensure consistent delivery of education to students across France's middle schools.