One of the AEFE's core missions is to provide ongoing training for staff working in the school network abroad. The Agency pursues an ambitious training policy for the benefit of all staff, which is a determining factor in the quality of teaching and the attractiveness of schools. In order to achieve the objective of doubling pupil numbers between 2018 and 2030 (CAP 2030) and to develop the network with more and better-trained human resources, training schemes are being stepped up. This is being achieved in particular by setting up regional training institutes in each of the sixteen pooling zones that make up the network.

Principles applicable to staff training

All staff teachers and non-teaching staff, from all establishments in the French education network abroad, whatever their status (directly managed establishments, establishments under agreement and partner establishments). Training courses are aimed at professionalisation, l'enrichment of practices and theinnovation. Training courses must meet the needs of staff and establishments. Training is provided by a a pool of qualified and trained staff. Training courses can be based on partnerships contracted or validated by the AEFE. Training initiatives can have various perimeters (inter-zone, geographical area, intra-establishment, open) and various conditions (often combining face-to-face and distance learning). A individual monitoring of training pathways is carried out.

A diversified and articulated training offer

Some training courses (in safety, communication and orientation in particular) are offered by the AEFE central services management staff and teacher-trainers working in the network, so that they can benefit from the expertise of head office staff and to guarantee shared skills.

Other training initiatives are included in the regional training plans developed by iRegional training institutes (IRF), within each of the network's sixteen pooling zones. Upstream, the school training cells identify staff requests and local needs. Downstream, the AEFE Training and Innovation Office (within the Education, Guidance and Training Department) validates the zones' training plans.

To support these processes, the Agency provides the network with digital tools performance, including a online management application called ATENAaccessible via the ORION collaborative intranet, as well as a training platform from a distance, M@gistèreEFEmade available by the Ministry of Education and specially configured for the French overseas education network (EFE).

In addition, the AEFE's partnership policy is helping to build a broad and diversified range of training courses:

  • Thanks to a partnership with the French Ministry of Education and Youth (MENJ), 150 teachers from primary and secondary schools are welcomed to France each year for around ten days by partner academies, with the opportunity to observe classroom practices.
  • Closer ties with higher education institutions has led to the creation of degree courses: for example, the university diploma in "Inclusive Education in French Schools Abroad" (DU EI EFE) provided by INSHEA.
  • Collaborative work with Canopé Networks expertise in training engineering has enabled it to structure and publish distance learning modules for professional training.

Training courses in partnership with CNED enable staff in the network to prepare remotely for national education competitions, thereby promoting professional mobility.

Strategic orientations for 2022-2025

  • Strengthen the ability of schools to adapt by encouraging innovative practices:
    • Consolidating the governance of the establishments
    • Consolidating the skills of all those involved in training
  • Increasing the attractiveness of French education to attract new audiences:
    • Train staff to deal with all types of pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and those for whom French is only the language of instruction
    • Supporting the development and promotion of multilingual and intercultural educational provision
  • Supporting the development of the network :
    • Training in the specific features of nursery school to promote it as a lever for equality, equity and success
    • Professionalise staff in line with the expectations of theapproval.