Overview
- Guillaume Prévost, secretary-general of Catholic education, told the National Assembly’s culture and education committee on December 2 that there were “serious abuses of authority” and called for a parliamentary mission.
- Under the Education Ministry’s “Brisons le silence” plan launched after the Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram revelations, more than 900 inspections have been conducted with a target to examine 40% of contracted private schools by 2027.
- Testimonies collected by private-school advocates describe inspectors questioning children alone about family religious beliefs, searching teachers’ lockers and pupils’ bags, and conducting large surprise visits.
- A decree published on November 19 expanded the pool of authorized inspectors to include private individuals selected for their expertise, a shift criticized by private-school networks.
- Sector representatives say they accept the principle of oversight and report that the ministry has promised targeted training to raise inspector professionalism and objectivity.