Monaco’s government has ordered high school students to begin the new term remotely on 5th January following concerns about the stability of an embankment overlooking the former Collège Charles III building in Annonciade.
The decision affects 840 lycée students who have been using the site since September 2025. Authorities emphasise that no risks will be taken with the safety of students, teachers, staff or community groups using the facility.
The embankment and retaining wall above the main building have been under close monitoring for several years. Reinforcement work on the support wall began in July 2025, with surveys conducted during the October half-term holiday and additional stabilisation work planned for the Christmas break.
However, recent monitoring has revealed an acceleration in the deformation pattern, requiring additional work. A specialist firm will carry out and verify supplementary measures to assess their effectiveness, with results expected on 4th January.
Decision on permanent site use pending
The Government said it will make a decision about the ongoing use of the site during the first week of January. Authorities are considering all possibilities, including relocating classes to another site if necessary.
The Direction de l’Education Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports will inform parents in the coming days about how remote learning will be implemented.
The former Collège Charles III building has housed lycée students since September 2025 following changes to Monaco’s educational facilities. The site also accommodates various community associations that use the building’s facilities.
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Photo credit: Compare Fibre, Unsplash