Territorial Gaps in AESH Support Leave Thousands of French Children with Disabilities Waiting

As of September 2025, nearly 49,000 children entitled to Accompagnant d'Élève en Situation de Handicap (AESH) aides in French schools remain without necessary support, according to official data from the Ministry of National Education. Out of 352,102 students eligible for AESH assistance, 48,726 were awaiting an aide, highlighting a pressing issue in inclusive education nationwide. Education Minister Edouard Geffray acknowledged the "concerning" situation during a committee hearing on October 30, noting a slight improvement from earlier in the school year when around 42,000 children were unsupported. However, this figure still represents a marked increase compared to the previous school year's 36,186 children awaiting aides.

The data reveal stark regional disparities in support availability. In the Aix-Marseille academy, a striking 33% of children are without AESH assistance, while Bordeaux reports a much lower rate of just 2.95%. These discrepancies raise questions about the effectiveness of data collection and inclusive education management, as noted by Socialist deputy Sébastien Saint-Pasteur, rapporteur for the inquiry committee.

AESH aides, primarily women, assist children facing motor, cognitive, or sensory disabilities directly within classrooms. While the average percentage of children without support has decreased from 14% to 12% by late October, the uneven distribution of resources continues to impact the quality of inclusion for disabled students across France.

Minister Geffray stressed ongoing efforts to address these disparities, although the rise in children awaiting support signals significant challenges remain ahead for the education system in guaranteeing equal access to aides nationwide.