Parents who want to get involved in school life can stand for election as parent representatives. Once elected, they sit on the school council to represent the interests of all families.
Who can stand as a candidate?
Any parent of a pupil can apply, either as a full member or as an alternate.However, some situations prevent candidacy:
- already being a member of the school council (for example a parent who also teaches at the school),
- having lost parental authority.
Belonging to a parents’ association is not required. Candidates simply need to submit a list of at least two people (and no more than twice the number of seats available) to the election office at least 10 clear days before the vote. Once submitted, the list cannot be changed.
How does the voting work?
Elections take place every year, usually in October.
Parents can vote in three different ways:
- in person at the polling station set up in the school,
- by post (voting materials are provided by the school),
- or by electronic voting.
Electronic voting has been authorised since the 2021 Rilhac law. The school head can decide to use it after consulting the school council. This option makes it much easier for parents who cannot attend in person to take part.
The system used is a list-based proportional vote with the largest remainder method.
What do elected representatives do?
Parent representatives have voting rights on the school council. Alternates can also vote when the full member is absent.
Their main role is to act as a bridge between parents and the teaching staff. They can raise issues related to teaching, school meals, children’s safety, inclusion, or school rules.
Their term of office lasts one year.
In short
Whether parents vote in person, by post or by electronic voting, taking part in these elections helps families have their say and contributes to the life of the school.
