Reforms, reforms, reforms... By Anaïs LESCHER

In March 2015, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, the Education Minister, presented her project for the secondary school reforms which will come into effect in the 2016-2017 school year. The official text was released on the 20th May 2015. Many parents and teachers don't understand the government's policies, hence the several anti-government demonstrations…

One of the propositions is for all pupils to start learning a second language in 7th grade instead of 8th grade. The specialized classes in which children learnt two languages therefore will cease to exist (they are considered too “elitist” by the Government anyway). But the opposition of the teachers and parents has been successful as 70% of the bilingual sections will be maintained. This, however, will cause territorial inequalities: 100% of these classes will be maintained in Paris but in the catchment areas of Montpelier, Nice, Toulon and Clermont-Ferrand 10 to 15% of them will close, and in Rouen, Lyon and Grenoble, 75% of them will disappear. In Caen, only 3 bilingual classes (out of 60) will remain…

The European sections (in which pupils learn some of their subjects in a foreign language) will suffer the same fate as they are judged too “elitist”, though the parents and teachers consider these classes as a plus and as preparation to study abroad.

The phasing out of two-language classes and of the European sections is an obvious case of dumbing down. Why should we penalize pupils who are able to take on extra hours, and do more? The most surprising thing is that two-language classes are going to be created in the “ZEP” (priority education zones). This proves that these types of classes actually are helpful to the pupils, so why phase them out elsewhere?

This reform doesn't only have bad points. It will, for example, generalize the personalised accompaniment of pupils in secondary school and this is a plus as the pupils of this level are not always independent enough. It will also encourage working in small groups, which can only be good as classes are so overcrowded.

Sources:

France TV info

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/education/reforme-du-college/?gclid=CKy8orbl98sCFfMW0wodr6AJeQ

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/education/reforme-du-college/enseignement-de-l-allemand-on-cree-des-inegalites-territoriales-avec-les-classes-bilangues_1281207.html

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/education/reforme-du-college/bientot-plus-de-germanophones-en-france_1281415.html

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/education/reforme-du-college/classes-bilangues-l-etat-fait-marche-arriere_1281401.html

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/education/reforme-du-college/faut-il-supprimer-les-classes-europeennes_1088149.html

Le Monde

http://www.lemonde.fr/education/article/2015/05/20/le-decret-de-la-reforme-du-college-publie-au-journal-officiel_4636590_1473685.html

Décret n°2015-544 du 19 mai 2015 relatif à l'organisation des enseignements au collège

https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=73DDF4D2C23DE299F040C461C81F37AB.tpdila15v_2?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000030613326&dateTexte=&oldAction=rechJO&categorieLien=id&idJO=JORFCONT000030613179

Arrêté du 19 mai 2015 relatif à l'organisation des enseignements dans les classes de collège

https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=73DDF4D2C23DE299F040C461C81F37AB.tpdila15v_2?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000030613339&dateTexte=&oldAction=rechJO&categorieLien=id&idJO=JORFCONT000030613179

After her studies, Anaïs LESCHER would like to become a teacher.