Defense classes, often praised, especially in a tense geopolitical context, also have their detractors.
Thursday, at the call of several organizations and unions such as FO, the CGT or the FSU, around fifty demonstrators came in front of Pierre-Bayrou college to say everything bad about what they thought of this “war propaganda which has no place in the school environment”. Among them, teachers, parents and residents. The principal came out to discuss with the two gendarmes present but she did not communicate with the demonstrators.
The defense class has existed for three years at this college. For the record, this is a system dating from 2005, created in partnership by National Education and the Ministry of Defense. There are 1,200 in France, “including 12 in Tarn-et-Garonne”, according to one of the leaflets distributed. It is about “acculturating young people to defense”, say the two institutions. These classes are often set up near a military camp to encourage close cooperation here in Caylus. The board of directors of the educational establishment must vote for its implementation and/or its maintenance.
