In a recent interview with ICI Paris Île-de-France, David Belliard, Deputy Mayor of Paris and Green Party candidate for the municipal elections, presented his proposals concerning extracurricular activities in Parisian schools. On the eve of crucial budget discussions for the city and amidst growing concerns over child safety, Belliard openly admitted to “failures” in the current system, particularly in light of recent sexual assault allegations.
A Crisis in Child Protection: “Failures” and Suspensions
The core of the crisis revolves around the suspension of 16 animators due to suspicions of sexual assault, a revelation that has deeply shaken parents and the wider community. Belliard’s acknowledgment of “failures” underscores a systemic problem within the procedures for alerting and handling such incidents. He expressed profound anger and frustration, stating, “We are in a society that has today trivialized violence, and in particular sexual violence against children. We see the omerta that there has been for decades and decades.”
He further criticized the lack of responsiveness and procedural shortcomings, highlighting the alarming delay in information reaching authorities: “There is indeed a problem in the procedures, which are also the alert and care procedures. I am not here to cast opprobrium on certain categories, but clearly, we have procedures that did not work. There have been a number of failures, how is it that the information only reaches us in September, when all this happened in February?” This delay points to a critical need for immediate and comprehensive reform in how such sensitive cases are managed.
The Budgetary Battle: Opposing Educator Cuts
Adding to the controversy, Belliard announced his intention to vote against the proposed cut of 100 educators for the next school year, a measure put forth by his own majority. He firmly stated, “This is a bad proposal and not the path we should take, so my group, as well as myself, will oppose this measure, and we wish, on the contrary, for additional recruitment and to raise the question of the revaluation of the sector.” This stance highlights a significant internal struggle within the city’s administration regarding priorities for child welfare and education.
Beyond Sexual Assaults: The Eliott Case and Broader Systemic Issues
Belliard also referenced the distressing case of Eliott, an 8-year-old boy whose head was shaved by an educator, leading to humiliation and mockery within a WhatsApp group of educators. This incident, along with other scandals in the Children’s Social Assistance (ASE) homes, prompted his group to request a general inspection months ago. “We must first sanction those who did this, and in an extremely harsh manner. I saw the images, I myself adopted a child, so it speaks to me enormously, it is inadmissible, it is of unspeakable cruelty and barbarism. We must sanction and we must understand why we got to this point,” Belliard emphasized, advocating for severe penalties and a thorough investigation into the root causes of such abuses.
Proposals for a Safer Extracurricular Environment
To address these multifaceted issues, Belliard proposed a comprehensive overhaul of child reception within the educational system. He advocates for a shift from an institution that merely “takes charge” of children to one that “welcomes their words, considers their words, and considers them as individuals.” Key to his vision is improved recruitment and valorization of supervisory staff, stressing the need to end precarious employment conditions for those caring for children. “We cannot have people who are in ultra-precarity taking care of our children; today, we must put in place a certain number of elements, in particular the revaluation of salaries,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Belliard called for more structured procedures in cases of suspected abuse, including the implementation of referents for gender-based and sexual violence (VSS) to better facilitate children’s disclosures. A simple but crucial rule he proposed is “no child alone with an adult,” necessitating the presence of multiple adults with children at all times. These concrete measures are expected to be detailed in his campaign program in the coming weeks, signaling a commitment to tangible change.
The Path Forward: Political Will and Systemic Change
The situation in Parisian schools, as highlighted by David Belliard, is a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing urban educational systems. It underscores the tension between budgetary constraints and the imperative of child protection. Belliard’s candid admission of “failures” and his proposals for systemic reform, including opposing educator cuts and advocating for better pay and clearer protocols, suggest a recognition that superficial fixes are insufficient. The question remains whether the political will exists to implement these far-reaching changes and ensure the safety and well-being of Paris’s children.
The upcoming budget discussions and the continued protests by parents will serve as critical tests of the city’s commitment to addressing these deeply troubling issues. The future of extracurricular activities and child protection in Paris hinges on moving beyond reactive measures to proactive, child-centric policies that prioritize safety, dignity, and the voices of the most vulnerable.
