Paris School Scandal: Over 100 Establishments Under Investigation for Violence
Paris, May 17 – The Paris public prosecutor’s office has launched investigations into potential acts of violence across more than a hundred educational establishments in the capital. Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed on Sunday that inquiries are underway concerning 84 nursery schools, approximately 20 elementary schools, and about a dozen nurseries.
This announcement comes amidst a growing scandal concerning violence in after-school care (périscolaire) in Paris, which has prompted widespread concern and calls for systemic change.
Legal Proceedings and Arrests
Prosecutor Beccuau, speaking on RTL, detailed the legal actions taken so far: “Currently, regarding prosecutions, we have had three judicial inquiries opened (entrusted to investigating judges) and five summonses before the correctional court.” She further stated that one after-school activity leader has been placed in pre-trial detention. Beccuau emphasized the urgency of this matter, highlighting the significant workload of the criminal brigade, which is handling these cases alongside those of incest.
City’s Response to a Systemic Issue
Since the beginning of 2026, 78 city agents in Parisian schools have been suspended, with 31 of these suspensions related to suspicions of sexual violence. Emmanuel Grégoire, the new socialist mayor of Paris, described these figures as indicative of a “systemic” problem. In response to the scandal’s scale, Grégoire, formerly Anne Hidalgo’s first deputy, initiated an action plan in mid-April for after-school care, allocating 20 million euros. This plan is a “absolute priority” for his early term.
Action Plan and Calls for National Measures
The comprehensive plan aims to simplify the reporting chain by establishing a dedicated listening unit. It also promises “total transparency” to families and seeks to professionalize a sector often characterized by precarious employment, given that the vast majority of Paris’s 14,000 after-school activity leaders are temporary staff.
Despite these measures, parents continue to demand further action. Collectives such as SOS Périscolaire and #MeTooEcole are advocating for national measures and an inter-ministerial approach, extending beyond Paris. Meanwhile, professional unions in Paris have criticized what they perceive as a “repressive policy by the municipality,” alleging “automatic suspensions” in a sector facing chronic understaffing. They have called for a strike until May 22.
Context and Previous Incidents
This scandal is not an isolated incident. There have been several reports of violence in after-school settings in Paris and other regions. For instance, in April 2026, the Paris Council adopted a 20-million-euro plan to protect children in after-school care. Earlier in February 2026, nine after-school activity leaders from a Parisian nursery school were suspended due to violence allegations. These events underscore a growing awareness and concern regarding child safety in these environments.
The ongoing investigations and the city’s robust response reflect a concerted effort to address these grave concerns and ensure the safety and well-being of children in Parisian educational and care settings.
