Speaking on behalf of its members, SEW/OGBL announced in a press release on 12 July that the problem occurred as a result of the state school’s rapid growth since it opened an English section in 2011, which today represents over a third of the school’s student population.

The situation is likely to become even more acute, when the lycée opens a feeder English primary school in 23 rue Charles IV, Belair, starting September 2017, the union suggested.

“This additional burden is already negatively impacting how the school operates. These problems risk worsening during the next school year, further diminishing the educational environment at the college,” it said.

SEW/OGBL said that it, along with the teachers’ association and various individuals, had tried to reach out to the education ministry to communicate their concerns.

“Minister Meisch has never taken into consideration the complaints of teaching staff affected, which has further exacerbated the distress of staff and led to an increase in the number of transfer requests."

The union further criticised the current lycée reform, voted on 6 July, providing greater autonomy to colleges, because the ministry neglects to provide the financial, educational and human resources required for these new programmes to be successful.