David Desiage has been appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit

Born in 1971 in Vichy, David Desiage joined the French National Education System at the age of 20 as a school supervisor. He subsequently rose through the ranks, becoming a senior educational adviser (CPE), then deputy headteacher, and finally headteacher in Guadeloupe, where he worked for nearly fifteen years. In 2021, he moved to Saint Martin and took over as headteacher of Mont des Accords secondary school. Since last September, he has continued his professional career in Saint Barthélemy, as headteacher of Mireille Choisy secondary school.
Honoured by Prefect Cyrille Le Vély, the latter praised “a man who, throughout his career, has placed the public interest at the heart of his work”. With over thirty years’ experience, David Desiage has dedicated the majority of his career to schools in priority education zones. On the ground, the headteacher has been committed to developing support schemes for pupils, championing inclusive education and the integration of pupils with disabilities. Educational projects, partnerships and local initiatives have shaped his time in Saint-Martin. As he humbly accepted his award, the National Education professional remarked, “This medal is not an end in itself, but an encouragement to continue (...) It reminds me that true merit lies in serving others and contributing to our communities.” The ceremony, held at Mont des Accords secondary school, marked the conclusion of David Desiage’s time in Saint Martin.