Toulouse: the father of a schoolboy with autism goes on hunger strike in front of the rectorate
A father has been on hunger strike for two days in front of the Toulouse rectorate to demand an AESH for his autistic son and a student at Marengo college.
Father of four children, including an autistic 11-year-old, Mr. Isen parked his van in front of the entrance to the Toulouse rectorate. Some posters on his windshield that he has been on a hunger strike since Wednesday to call for an accompanying person for a disabled student (AESH) for his son Azad, educated in 6th grade at Marengo college in Toulouse.
But since the start of the school year in January, the student no longer goes to class. This Thursday, January 6, in the morning, the father was received by the office of the academic direction of the national education services of Haute-Garonne (Dasen). The autistic student has serious difficulties in following the program without A ESH.
A recurring situation in the department where it lacks, each year, more than 300 accompanying persons with disabilities.
“I have been made dozens of promises”
“My son left his localized unit for school inclusion (ULIS) and since his schooling, he has always had an AESH. Unfortunately, this year, there is no support. For three months, I have been fighting against the rectorate. I have been made several promises, but I am still waiting. I stopped sending my son to college, because this child who puts himself in danger easily and also puts others in danger, he is not aware of it. It remains closed in the classroom from morning until evening. Since then, I have decided to go on a hunger strike until a solution is found for my son. “
In support of Mr. Isen’s action, the mediation team from the Case de santé, a medical practice located in Place Arnaud Bernard, is mobilizing: “Parents have taken more steps since the start of the school year so that the situation can be corrected. Months have passed, the promises have remained in the air, their file has been classified as a priority… but nothing has changed. In mid-December, their pugnacity seemed to have borne fruit and an AESH was expected for the start of the January school year.[…]”.