School uniform funds should save national education, says expert

Camille de Foucauld, director of development at the think tank VersLeHaut, believes that money saved from the government's decision to abandon mandatory school uniforms should be reinvested in the education system. While the government has decided against imposing a uniform policy for middle and high school students in 2026, some institutions may still choose to implement it, with an average cost of 180 euros per student.

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The temptation will be great for the government to use this money to repay the debt.

De Foucauld, a former primary school teacher, warns against the temptation to use these funds to repay national debt. Instead, she advocates for using these budgetary margins to finance "experimentations like this one to invest in what works in education." This includes renovating school buildings and combating school bullying.

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experimentations like this one to invest in what works in education

She also highlighted the potential for increased investment due to "demographic decline," noting that fewer students in the coming years could improve the quality of care provided by the system. De Foucauld specifically mentioned the mental health challenges faced by young people, citing that only 50% of middle and high school students report feeling mentally well.

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There will be fewer students next year and in the following ones.

According to de Foucauld, schools could collaborate more effectively with anti-bullying organizations, potentially at a lower cost than a widespread uniform policy. This approach could free up resources to address critical issues within the education sector.

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only 50% of middle and high school students report feeling mentally well.