Parents Vote on Relocation of Saint-Ouen Kindergarten Due to Drug Trafficking Risks

The Émile-Zola Kindergarten faces a potential temporary move as safety concerns mount, with the government pledging to secure the area and return the school to its original site.

Parents of Émile-Zola Kindergarten students in Saint-Ouen are voting on whether to relocate the school immediately or wait until September, following escalating safety concerns linked to nearby drug trafficking.
The school, located in the Cité Arago neighborhood, has experienced multiple incidents, including drug paraphernalia found in the yard and a nitrous oxide canister thrown through a window.
Local authorities propose transferring the school’s four classes to nearby facilities as a temporary measure, with a permanent relocation planned for the next academic year.
Education Minister Élisabeth Borne reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the area and returning the school to its original location once safety improvements are made.
The situation underscores broader issues of public safety, urban crime, and the symbolism of maintaining public institutions in vulnerable communities.