France Schoolchildren In Masks With Slates Real Photo Postcard

Le Pion refers to a specific role within the French educational system, particularly prevalent in lycées and *collèges* from the 19th to the mid-20th century. A pion (or *surveillant*) was a monitor or proctor, typically a young person, often a student or recent graduate, employed to supervise students outside of classroom hours, maintain discipline, and oversee study halls. This position was often characterized by low pay, little authority, and a sometimes-mocked social standing, making the *pion* a figure caught between the student body and the teaching staff.