Moroccan Parents Petition French Schools for Tuition Reduction Amid Pandemic Uncertainty

Published on April 9, the petition has been signed by nearly 3,000 people, ready to continue the tug-of-war. And for good reason, the families have been ordered to pay their children’s school fees before April 22.

Uncertain about the resumption of classes and convinced that the pandemic has reduced the schools’ expenses, the families are strongly mobilized to have their way, especially since the majority of parents have seen their incomes drop sharply.

Although individual solutions have been proposed to families impacted by the consequences of the pandemic, these would be rather limited to payment deadlines and due dates, without touching the invoice.

The parents’ grievances do not seem to be able to change the position of the officials who justify their decision by the need to maintain the financial balance of the French education system abroad. "The invoicing of the 3rd quarter is essential for the viability of the systems implemented by the establishment and its staff," said the principal of a French high school.