A socialist bill to improve conditions for 145,000 student disability aides was rejected by the Senate on January 7. The proposal sought civil servant status of category B for these mostly female workers. Unions and collectives lament the failure, following recent mobilization.
On January 7, a majority of senators rejected a socialist bill introduced by Marie-Pierre Monier from Drôme. Discussed under the socialist parliamentary slot and co-authored by Paris senator Colombe Brossel, the text aimed to grant AESH – student disability aides – civil servant status of category B. This would have included full-time pay and initial training.
AESH form the second-largest staff category in France’s national education system, totaling 145,000 agents, 94% women. They support over 355,000 disabled students from primary to secondary levels, based on assessments by departmental houses for disabled persons.
The demand has long been voiced by education unions and AESH collectives, reiterated during a national action day on December 16, 2025. Colombe Brossel stated: “The senatorial right and the government did not wish for AESH to be tenured. But tomorrow morning, we will have to assume this vote in our territories.”
The bill’s failure highlights tensions in France’s inclusive education efforts, where these aides play a vital role without equivalent statutory recognition.
