A group of Les Républicains senators publishes an op-ed in Le Monde to defend rural schools amid demographic decline. They criticize the accounting logic leading to class closures and call for an adapted school offer in villages. In their view, this would sustain territorial vitality and provide individualized child support.
In an op-ed published on March 4, 2026, in Le Monde, a group of Les Républicains senators warns against the closure of rural schools justified by falling student numbers. They denounce an annual accounting approach by academy inspectors, who decide on posts and classes based on precise student counts, unlike the long-term planning required of local officials in urbanism matters.
The authors note that the education ministry is the only one adjusting its resources yearly in this way, without forward-looking vision. According to them, these closures result in longer travel times for children, increasing their fatigue and distancing parents from school. They highlight the benefits of rural schools: small class sizes, close teacher proximity to students and families, and a calm school climate enabling personalized support.
The group calls for placing the child at the system's center and developing a new school offer suited to village demographic realities. They emphasize the schools' vital role in combating rural desertification and republican equality, beyond budgetary constraints. The strong performance of rural schools demonstrates, in their opinion, the effectiveness of a flexible system attuned to children's needs.
