What are parent-pupil ‘reps’ in France, and how can you be one?
Parent-pupil representatives help to defend pupils’ interests and keep parents informed
Parent-pupil reps are elected by parents with children enrolled in the school
Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock
Did you know that schools in France have parent-pupil representatives who can stand for election, lead parent associations, and take an active role in school life? Here is how the system works*.
What are the duties of parent-pupil (parents d’élèves) reps and parents' associations?
Defending pupils' interests
Associations tend to focus on issues such as:
Ensuring the safety of children in schools
Guaranteeing equal treatment of all children
Bringing premises up to standard
Making school meals accessible to all.
They might, for example, vote on school rules or a new school building project. They are also involved in issues such as choosing textbooks or new teaching aids.
Keeping parents informed
Keep parents informed about the activities and life of the school
Submitting information and documentation to the headteacher, who will then distribute information to the pupils and parents
Sharing information via notice boards or letterboxes.
Taking part in school and class councils
Elected parent-pupil reps can:
Organising information meetings
- Organise information meetings for parents and pupils on important subjects that affect the school’s running and organisation
- Offer services to parents and their children
The parents' association can offer other services to help pupils, such as extra tutoring or homework help sessions.
Choosing school insurance
Parents can also take out school insurance of their choice.
They can contact the school headteacher, or the French Federation of Insurance Companies for more help and advice on how to do this, and select the best policy for their school situation.
How are parent-pupil representatives chosen?
Reps are elected after putting themselves forward for election.
Only parents whose children are enrolled at the school are allowed to stand for election as parent representatives, on school councils, and boards of governors.
The elections always take place on a set date. In 2023, this was October 13 or 14. In 2024, they are set to take place on October 11 or 12.
All parents with children enrolled in the school are both eligible to vote and to stand for election, with the exception of school staff who are former members of the Board of Governors, and those who are already members.
Election procedure
Parents go to their children's school to vote.
They may also vote by post if they have applied in advance and have been given the correct ballot papers. They should also be given a leaflet explaining how to vote by post, including statements of support, and numbered envelopes to guarantee the anonymity of the vote.
The vote must reach the electoral office before the end of the voting period. It can also be handed in at school by the parent’s child.
Number of parents elected
The number of parent representatives depends on the number of classes in the school, and how large the school is overall. Across all primary schools in France, there are currently 246,756 reps.
In collèges and lycées (middle school and high school), the number varies depending on the type of school and its size. Generally, each school has between five and seven reps. In collèges and lycées currently, there are 44,514 reps nationwide.
What rights and duties do parents have?
Parent reps can also help to ensure that all parents’ rights are respected.
The rights of parents
As summarised in the French Education Code, parental rights at schools include:
The right to information. This might be shared in parent-teacher meetings, or a booklet distributed after meetings of the class council.
The right to participate in school life.
The right to compensation, subject to certain conditions, for parent representatives.
The duties of parents
Similarly, parents with children enrolled in school have various duties, including:
Ensuring that their children attend school regularly
Looking after their children's health
Looking after their children's extra-curricular activities.
What are the ‘FCPE’ and the ‘PEEP’?
These are the two main parent associations in public education, the FCPE (Fédération des Conseils de Parents d'élèves, federation of parent-pupil councils) and the PEEP (Parents d'Elèves de l'Enseignement Public, parents of pupils in public education).
These federations share and advocate for a number of values. These include:
A commitment to public and secular schools
The educational rights of parents
The healthy development of pupils' personalities and personal independence
A commitment to diversity and respect.
*With thanks to Capital for its original guide to parent-pupil representatives.
