French Education System
Introduction-
For quite a long time,the French education system has been having a reputation for producing one of the best education systems in the world. Some of their excellent features include a nationally set curriculum, highly set academic standards, conventional methods of learning, and also strict discipline. However, in recent years,there has been a downfall in the quality of French education, and according to the latest OECD/PISA world rankings of 2015, France dropped three places for educational standards for 15 year old children. Currently,it is placed at the 18th place out of 65 countries, with around 40-45% of students facing difficulty in mathematics and with a big equality gap within the school population.
Some of the policies/features of the French education system:
– the authority of the teacher: Teacher is the main authority and isnt forced or controlled by any person or organization.
– individual competition including an absolute grading system (no grading on the curve): Student competes with himself/herself than with others.
– stress on analytical thought and rote learning as opposed to creativity;
– generally high academic expectations: Trying to bring out the best in the students.
Unlike certain education systems which focus on non-academic aspects as well,The French education system doesnt really expect children to have fun at school. Sports and extra-curricular activities are encouraged but such events are mostly not organised by the schools,instead by the community or else private associations. For children who fall in the age range of 6 to 16,schooling is free and mandatory for them, although most of the children start earlier than this. Apart from this sudy period, Additional 2 years of study are required for the student to sit for the baccalauréat exam, which is one of the major criteria to enter university. Class sizes are usually large, with the teacher to student ratio being approximately 1:30. In this study,the three main areas with respect to Education in France which are being focused are:
1. Brief History of Education in France
2. Present Scenario
1. Brief History of Education in France
Education was first introduced in France in 121 BCE with the Roman conquest of the southern regions of Celtic Gaul. But this system wasnt really established in any way until 768CE, during the reign of Catholic King Charlemagne. If these few centuries sowed the seeds, they came to fruition principally in the thirteenth century with the founding of an university.