School Violence: The Inquiry Commission Seeks to Hear François Bayrou

In connection with the Bétharram case, the president of the parliamentary inquiry commission announced during a press conference that Prime Minister François Bayrou will be heard by the commission.

Created following revelations of violence within the Pyrénées-Atlantiques school, the commission, chaired by Fatiha Keloua Hachi (PS), confirmed this intention on Wednesday, March 12:

“Of course, Mr. Bayrou will be heard by the commission.”
— Fatiha Keloua Hachi, commission president, alongside co-rapporteurs Paul Vannier (LFI) and Violette Spillebout (Renaissance).

At the time of the first complaint against a school supervisor in 1996, François Bayrou was serving as Minister of National Education, raising questions about how the case was handled back then.

A Three-Phase Hearing Process

The commission, unanimously approved after Mediapart’s investigation, plans three phases of hearings:

1. Starting March 20:

   • Hearings of victims and collectives to gather testimonies.

2. Administrations and institutions:

   • Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Justice, academic authorities, as well as associations for child abuse victims.

3. Political figures:

   • François Bayrou, Élisabeth Borne, Gabriel Attal, Ségolène Royal (recently targeted by Bayrou in the Bétharram case), and Nicole Belloubet, former Minister of Justice.

Report Expected in June

The commission’s findings, along with recommendations for strengthening state oversight in public and private schools, are set to be published before the parliamentary recess at the end of June.

This inquiry aims to enhance student protection and prevent future instances of school violence.