Are serious incidents in primary schools “up by 50%”, as François-Xavier Bellamy claims?

The head of the Republican list in the European elections says the truth but this very high percentage needs to be put into perspective.

Is violence at school increasing? The answer is yes for Francois-Xavier Bellamy, including among the little ones. The Republican candidate for the European elections highlighted a figure on BFM TV: “Remember that between 2022 and 2023, +50% of serious incidents have been reported in primary schools,”he said.

A less impressive increase in absolute value

What François-Xavier Bellamy says is true but it needs to be put into perspective. If we look at the latest figures from the Ministry of National Education, published in February, there is an increase in reports of serious incidents in primary schools, that is to say from the small section from nursery to CM2. . We went, on average, from two serious incidents per 1,000 schoolchildren to three incidents. From two to three, that’s an increase of 50%, but if we talk in absolute value, it’s less impressive.

What do we know about these serious incidents in primary school? Most of the time, 9 times out of 10, it involves attacks on people. It is mainly verbal violence, such as insults, for example, towards teaching staff or between students. There is also physical violence but it is not always linked to the students! For example, in the first degree, that is to say among the youngest, families and parents are involved in 30% of serious incidents. This often happens after school. There are also fights between children. They can be counted as serious incidents. Moreover, a quarter of these incidents reported last year took place in the playground.

Disciplinary councils are held after a majority of incidents

These serious incidents do not go unanswered. In the majority of cases, the school reacts. Two thirds of serious incidents committed by students or groups of students result in a disciplinary council or an educational commission. In primary school, there is very little exclusion. However, in half of the cases the academy is informed and can then alert child welfare or the public prosecutor.