2010 : another year of reform in education

Each year looks like the previous concerning education : new reforms, demonstrations and strikes. 2010 has not been an exception. The first change went on september with the reform of the « llycee », especially for the first year (« La Seconde »). Once again, the gap between the government and the teachers was deep, and the fight...unremitting. On the one end, Luc Chatel, the French education minister, who promoted his project claiming that it was fairer and more efficient for pupils. On the other hand, the teachers, who denounced a two tier system. They demonstrated against a system which promotes the high-flying and crushes the weakests. Moreover, the new system cut thousands of public jobs linked to the national education. The paradox was that with more and more pupils and less hour classes, the teachers had to finish all the programme

To conclude, Mr Chatel's plan transformed the History and Geography in the scientific branch in a simple option, as a second way class.

In order to protest, pupils and teachers joined to be on strike and to demonstrate. In November and December, many secondary schools were blocked and no classes were provided. A few time later students joined the movement and gave it more strengh.

At the beginning of January, a survey revealed that 77% of parents supported the reform. Finally, the reform was definitly confirmed and the demonstrations stopped.

The other main problem in education in 2010 was the several cases of violence at school.

At the very beginning of January, a pupil was stabbed inside his secondary school by young people from outside. He died at the hospital. The drama moved the whole France, because it realised that insecurity was everywhere, even in unexpected places such as school. Every media dealed with the murder and politicians promised that they will fight against the bane of violence at school.

To conclude, this year 2009-2010 was full of problems and demonstrations, always to the disadvantage of pupils. Unfortunately, each year looks like the previous in education, so we can expect to another « colourful » year in 2011.