Île-de-France Education Sector Gripped by Major Strike Over Job Cuts and Resource Allocation

Educators Mobilize Against Austerity Measures

Teachers and education personnel across the Île-de-France region have launched a significant strike today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to protest against proposed job cuts and what they describe as inadequate resource allocation for the upcoming 2026 school year. The mobilization, spearheaded by a united inter-union coalition, is expected to cause widespread disruptions in schools, colleges, and high schools throughout the region, including the academies of Paris, Créteil, and Versailles.

The inter-union group, comprising major organizations such as FSU (SNUipp-FSU, SNES-FSU), SE-UNSA, FO, CFDT, CGT, and SUD, has called for the strike to demand the 'immediate cancellation' of planned staff reductions and a budget for National Education that is 'commensurate with needs'.

Thousands of Positions at Risk

At the heart of the dispute are government plans to eliminate between 3,256 and 4,000 positions in public education nationally for the 2026 academic year. Unions report that approximately 1,891 to 2,229 of these cuts are slated for primary education (1er degré), with another 1,365 to 1,803 affecting secondary education (2nd degré). These figures have been met with strong opposition from educators, who argue that such reductions are incompatible with the actual needs on the ground and will inevitably lead to a degradation of learning conditions and inclusion for students.

The Île-de-France academies are particularly vulnerable to these cuts, with unions highlighting an increase in class closures and growing difficulties in securing substitute teachers. Concerns have also been raised regarding the scarcity of essential support staff, including AESH (Accompagnants d'Élèves en Situation de Handicap).

Protest March in Paris

As part of the day of action, a significant demonstration is taking place in Paris. Protesters gathered at 13h (1 PM) in front of the Sorbonne and are marching towards the Ministry of National Education to voice their grievances directly to government officials. The unions emphasize that despite potential demographic shifts, the government's approach remains one of 'austerity', which they believe undermines the quality of public education.

Impact on Schools and Families

The strike is expected to result in numerous school closures, both full and partial, and disruptions to classes across the Île-de-France region. Families were advised to anticipate these disturbances, with intentions to strike for primary education personnel having been submitted by February 14 to allow for some visibility on school openings.