Education: three classes in the spotlight in Lavaur

Three classes should close at the start of the next school year in Lavaur. A situation that the Vauréens know well: in five years, eight classes have already disappeared.
“We demand dignified and suitable teaching conditions for all students. The drop in the birth rate could be an opportunity to improve supervision,” explain the parents of students at the Beltrame school, mobilized against this announced closure.
“We have noticed a drop in numbers for several years,” recalls Marie-Claire Marignol, deputy mayor in charge of school affairs. She specifies that there are only four students missing at Beltrame and that “overall, the decline is regular”, also insisting on the instability of the figures: “we can never be sure of the numbers with removals and total registrations.” the year”. She finally points out a major constraint: “the problem with the school map is that from November, we are asked for figures.”
For example, two registrations for April were recorded at the Clauzades college… the day before yesterday.

“The closure of classes is very bad news for the municipality, teachers and families. We strongly denounce it,” declares Nathalie Joseph for the opposition group “Lavaur Quite Simply”.
She sees it as “the symptom of a deeper problem: demographic stagnation”. And added: “Lavaur must regain its attractiveness to welcome young couples and give new impetus to its schools and its future.”
Same observation for the other municipal opposition group.

“Between 2013 and 2019, the population grew by only 1.7%, compared to nearly 10% in Saint-Sulpice and 7% in Gaillac,” underlines Fabienne Couleau for “Changeons Lavaur”. She concludes: “The population is stagnating, aging and the number of children is decreasing faster than elsewhere. A city that does not invest in families and youth puts its future at risk.”

Between the mobilization of parents and political concerns, the school question emerges as a major issue for the future of the city and its attractiveness.