A military school that has become a public educational institution

(B2) It is a silent revolution which is about to occur on the 450 hectares of the air base n°701 which shelters the school of the Air in Salon de Provence. The latter has just closed its university year, with the traditional ceremony of handing over the 'dagger' to the cadets of the Air

Since January, the school has become a public establishment of a scientific, cultural and professional nature (EPCS). A decree published in December 2018 attests to this. The school remains under the authority of the Ministry of Defence, but it acquires legal autonomy, where it was previously only a military unit depending on the direction of human resources. This autonomy will allow it to manage its budget more independently – it will in particular have to pay the 270 or so people (permanent or contract teachers, assistants, etc.) who form the backbone of the school. This will be done next year.

This new status will also allow it to forge stronger links with other educational establishments in France, to open up more to external audiences, to develop new modules, new diplomas in initial or continuing training, etc. . There is already a developed cooperation with Science Po Aix for joint masters (in political science). But its promoters intend to develop this axis with other establishments in Europe.

NB: The Air Force School is not the only military school to have changed status. The naval school, for example, passed this milestone in 2017. But Saint Cyr is still resisting...

(NGV)

(1) I was there last week to give a course on European defense, the European army