Adressing teachers shortages and the challenge of attracting and retaining qualified teachers

The Grenelle de l'Education Forum launched on 22 October 2020 was deployed through February 2021. The consultation process is based on contributions from all stakeholders: teachers, supervisors, families and learners, elected representatives and local authorities, charities and economic communities, and trade unions. All proposals (re-certification, training, career paths, digital education, local HR, health in the workplace) are currently being analysed. A summary will be published.

During the forum, the scientific symposium 'Which teachers for the 21st century?' (December 2020) offered a cross-examination of research and international feedback around five themes:

1. why are education and teachers the investment of the 21st century?
2. what new knowledge and skills are necessary for learners and what teaching practices for teachers?
3. what training is necessary?
4. what are the new working and teaching conditions?
5. what are the new modes of governance?

The conclusions of the Digital General Assembly for Education, communicated on 5 November 2020, have resulted in 40 proposals and constitute one of the axes of the Grenelle Education Forum.

EUR 400 million are dedicated to enhancing staff and supporting the transformation of the education professions. This measure, applicable from 2021, takes place within a global project on improving the working conditions of staff and the education system, within the framework of the Grenelle de l'Education Forum.

The Grenelle de l'Education Forum has given rise to a fundamental reflection resulting from the 12 commitments announced on 26 May 2021 by the Minister for Education. These commitments mark a major step towards transforming the education system:

1. better financial recognition of staff commitment: EUR 1.1 billion over 2 years (2021-22);
2. give everyone the opportunity to make known their skills and wishes;
3. enable everyone to play an active role in their career path;
4. personalise the support given to teachers;
5. benefit from new employee benefits;
6. create a direct link between staff and administrative services;
7. empower schools' teaching teams through consolidated school leadership;
8. give more autonomy to lower and upper secondary school teams to develop their projects;
9. share changes in purchasing power and well-being at work with all staff;
10. manage human resources as closely as possible in the territories (HR roadmaps of each education authority);
11. ensure effective continuity of education;
12. promote access to more diploma-based continuing education.

In 2022, the Ministry of National Education and Youth continued to build on the work carried out with the social partners in 2020 and 2021. The aim was to improve the pay conditions and employment terms of its staff, and to make the various professions in the Ministry more attractive. This resulted in a number of practical measures that took effect during the course of 2022.

In general terms, career paths have been improved for all staff. Similarly, in 2022 the Ministry introduced an employer contribution to health insurance costs for all eligible public sector workers: EUR 15 per month from 1 January 2022, i.e. EUR180 per year.

The aim of improving the early careers of teachers was underlined with the increase in the prime d'attractivité. This incentive, which is designed to boost the appeal of the profession, was introduced on 1 February 2022 and has been paid since May 2021. It awards better pay to young teachers and facilitates the development of teachers at the start of their careers and in mid-career. There has been an increase in the annual amounts of this prime d'attractivité, and the number of employees benefiting from it has been extended: in 2022 it will be paid to 58% of teaching and educational staff. In addition, the IT equipment allowance created in 2021 (EUR 176 gross per year) was awarded to 900 000 public sector workers in 2022.

The Ministry of National Education and Youth is implementing new measures designed to:

• attract fresh talent to work in national education;
• better fulfil the aspirations of its staff by encouraging mobility and valuing skills. 2 decrees published on 20 June 2022 increased mobility opportunities for school teachers and teachers working in vocational high schools so that: school teachers can perform their duties in higher education establishments; teachers in upper secondary VET schools can work in lower secondary schools, general and technical upper secondary schools and higher education establishments. Internal mobility is facilitated and given better support;
• improve working conditions through its housing and travel policies.

Decree no. 2022-909 of 20 June 2022 concerning the duties of primary school teachers and upper secondary VET school teachers: a specific budget has been approved in order to enhance the attractiveness of the teaching profession.

On 18 January 2023, the Minister for Education and Youth, in the presence of all representative trade union organisations, launched a new phase of consultation on the promotion of the teaching profession. The new round of consultations focusses on two main areas:

• increasing the attractiveness of the teaching profession;
• improving the functioning of the school system with respect to specific roles and responsibilities.

This process will allow stakeholders to effectively identify and recognise all the tasks performed by teachers that contribute to learner success. The findings are expected in March and implementation begins at the start of the 2023/24 academic year.

In 2023/24, teachers in both primary and secondary education, as well as education and guidance personnel, received a salary increase of at least EUR 125 net per month (averaging EUR 158) without any conditions. This adjustment is part of broader efforts to enhance career prospects for educators.

Among the 12 measures to reform VET schools in order to make VET an attractive choice for young people and businesses, measure No 10 enables teachers to take on volontary paid tasks aiming to better support pupils succeed their studies. The measure is being rolled-out through the 'teachers' pact' scheme, which introduces, on a volontary basis, a range of attractive and better-compensated complementary roles for teachers. The 'teachers' pact' initiative was formalised through relevant regulatory measures issued on 19 and 20 July 2023 (a decree, an order, and a service note).

During the 2023/24 academic year, approximately 30% of teachers participated in the 'Teachers' pacte' initiative, with an average annual gross earnings of EUR 2 408 per teacher. 55% of the scheme allocations were utilised for short-term replacements, innovative educational projects, and the Devoirs faits (howework done) programme, which supports learners in completing their homework.