The start of the school year represents an annual “challenge” for parents and children alike. For children with disabilities, the task is much more arduous.
This year, Eric Ciotti, the UMP deputy and president of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, has spoken out to lament the current situation.
Life assistants (AVS) are more than essential for children who wish to study, as they help them pursue their education under good conditions.
Yet, today, a situation seems to hinder some students with disabilities from continuing their studies.
The issue lies with the State, which cannot guarantee schooling for more than 200 disabled children, for whom the presence of a life assistant is crucial. To enable these children to be accompanied in a school environment, financial resources must be provided.
Eric Ciotti, the president of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, laments this: “My indignation is great because the role of life assistants is essential for the integration and schooling of disabled students.”
In the Alpes-Maritimes department, AVS today allow more than 1,600 children the opportunity to experience school life alongside all other children. An experience that some children cannot experience due to a lack of State funding.
The UMP deputy has spoken out: “This situation is more than regrettable for the integration of disabled children, and that is why I decided to write a letter to the Minister of National Education, Mrs. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, a few days ago, to inform her about the current situation of children with disabilities.”
Well beyond its mandated responsibilities, the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes is taking exemplary action by strengthening the National Education system with 35 AVS.
As the only department in France to take this action, Eric Ciotti, along with the entire department of Alpes-Maritimes, hopes that the State will respond to this delicate situation.
In his letter to the Minister of National Education, the president of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction: “Parents, particularly concerned about the school start conditions for their disabled children, have already drawn my attention to this very damaging situation.”
During a press conference held at the premises of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, an emotional parent of a student emphasized the importance of AVS: “Indeed, these individuals are very important in the daily lives of our children. The life assistant present here to represent her colleagues is the perfect example, if she were not there for my child, he would not have had the chance to attend school, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for everything she has done with my child.”
