A major scandal has erupted in France's preschool and primary education system. In Paris, 16 employees of the Saint Dominique municipal institution in the 7th arrondissement have been arrested on suspicion of child abuse.

Those detained include educators, education system staff, and after-school program animators aged 18 to 68. According to the prosecutor's office, they face various charges ranging from mistreatment to sexual assault and abuse of power.

Some suspects have already been suspended from work, while others continue to give testimony. The investigation has expanded beyond a single institution: checks are covering possible cases of abuse in 84 kindergartens, 20 primary schools, and 10 nurseries.

Since the beginning of 2026, 78 employees of the municipal education system in Paris have been suspended, 31 of them on suspicion of sexual violence. The situation gained widespread public resonance after media reports about repeated episodes involving a teacher who had previously come to police attention.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire called the situation an "absolute priority" and promised to strengthen control measures: revising the hiring system, tightening checks, and ensuring full transparency for parents. The city has already launched a €20 million plan to combat violence in after-school programs.

However, not everyone supports the tough measures: trade unions criticize the mass suspensions as a "repressive policy" amid a staffing shortage. In protest, they have called a strike. Meanwhile, parent organizations demand that the investigation be expanded to the national level and that additional child protection measures be introduced.

Source: podrobno.uz