French political party Les Ecologistes has proposed raising teacher salaries by 15 percent over five years and capping primary school class sizes as part of its platform for the 2027 presidential election.
Marine Tondelier, the leader of Les Ecologistes and candidate for the presidency, announced the proposals on the first day of the school year for teachers as part of a campaign effort to appeal to voters.
Tondelier stated that primary education must be made an absolute priority by reducing class sizes across the country. Under the party's plan, primary school classes would be capped at 19 pupils by 2032, and limited to 12 pupils in designated priority education networks, known in France as REP and REP+ zones.
In a press statement, the party announced its plan to rehabilitate jobs in the National Education system by raising teacher pay by 15 percent over a five-year period, in addition to increases for inflation.
Practical skills in schools
Tondelier also called for practical skills to be integrated into the school curriculum. She proposed lessons in cooking, gardening, theatre, visual arts, and music, noting that not all children have the opportunity to participate in such activities outside of school.
Competing proposals for teachers
The announcement comes during a back-to-school period marked by a series of education proposals from rival political figures. Raphaël Glucksmann, a candidate in the primary for the social-democratic movement, said on Sunday that he wants to raise teacher salaries by at least 10 percent.
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has also advocated for teacher pay, proposing a 20 percent increase ahead of Tondelier's announcement.
Education policy and teacher salaries have emerged as key debate topics ahead of France's 2027 presidential election, when voters will choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron. Priority education zones, classified as REP and REP+, receive targeted state funding to support schools in economically disadvantaged areas.
