The Alexandre Vialatte college in Saint-Amant-Roche-Savine (Puy-de-Dôme) will close its doors at the start of the next school year. Blame it on a lack of staff in the establishment, reports The Parisianthis Wednesday.
Located in a small village of 500 inhabitants, it currently has only seven 4th and 3rd year pupils in a single double-level class. At the start of the next school year, five of them will join high school. Thus, only two college students would have been educated there next year. “It was no longer tenable” decided the rectorate. The latter will therefore be transferred to the college of Ambert, a neighboring town.
40 fewer students in almost 40 years
“It’s simple, there are more teachers than children,” quipped a resident. In 1980, when the former principal of the establishment and current communist deputy for the constituency, André Chassaigne, took office, the college had “only 47 registered students”, according to the latter. Gradually, several classes and the boarding school were closed, further reducing the number of students.
Discussions are currently being conducted by the Departmental Council and elected officials concerning the future use of the premises.