Update on budget meeting 17/11/2025

This constructive meeting focused on finalising the 2025 accounts (Amended Budget 2), constructing the 2026 budget, an update on the various works, as well as a point on VAT.

As you know, the AEFE, the state agency that manages the Lycée, is currently undergoing significant upheavals (see our previous articles).

Until the agency's major directions (particularly those concerning making establishments contribute even more to the civil pensions of seconded staff) are clearly defined at its Board of Directors meeting on 27 November, it is impossible for the Lycée's financial management to have the necessary elements to construct a 2026 budget. A second AEFE Board of Directors meeting on 18th December was also mentioned.

Both associations emphasised the need to freeze school fees, following years of successive increases (doubling in 10 years) and the application of +20% VAT last January. This remains our primary objective. Furthermore we made new proposals to help large families or those in need to afford school fees. The Lycée's cash position and recoverable VAT should allow these reserves to be used to relieve families. Furthermore, the Lycée's cash reserves should be utilised within the framework of a multi-year investment plan for "GER" (Major Maintenance and Renovation) in an ageing building (renovation of boilers, lifts, college-lycée playgrounds, improvement of energy efficiency, etc.). Finally, reductions in operating costs through better organisation of purchases and contract tendering are the ambitions of the Lycée's new financial management.

Thanks to our affiliated federation, the UNAPE, which has a seat on the AEFE Board of Directors, you will of course be represented like the other establishments in the network, in order to avoid escalations in school fees, and we will ensure that the particular case of the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle—the only establishment in the network subject to VAT—is raised in order to give it the necessary breathing space.

We will of course keep you informed of the discussions at the AEFE Board of Directors meeting on 27 November, as well as the budgetary discussions that will be mentioned at the Establishment Council.

How is the budget constructed? 

The AEFE circular 732 provides that the elected representatives of parents and staff will be consulted by college prior to the preparation of the budget so that they can submit their observations and make proposals on the financial orientations of the establishment, particularly the changes in school fees and real estate projects. The observations and proposals arising from these consultations will be presented to the establishment council and annexed to its minutes. 
This budget is then presented to the Establishment Council and put to a vote. Depending on the outcome of this vote, the Agency issues a decision regarding the fees to be paid at the establishment for the following year.