Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

French teachers threaten to disrupt baccalaureate exam

The first round of 2020 baccalaureate exams will start on Monday, 20 January. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

Opponents of the new bac will refuse to supervise or correct the tests which, starting Monday, are to be spread out over the next six weeks in high schools across France.

The exams include history, geography, modern languages ​​and mathematics – and will account for 30 percent of a student’s final mark.

While teachers unions say the reform is ill-prepared, and are demanding it be postponed, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer on Thursday defended the reform, insisting disruption to the bac would be minimal.

“In the vast majority of establishments, things are looking very good … a small minority are seeking political action against the government, and this is not normal,” he told French radio station RTL.

“I have always disputed that school should be seen as a political playground.”

Some schools were closed Thursday with many teachers opposed to the baccalaureate reform also protesting the government's planned overhaul of the pensions system.

The new baccalaureate was introduced for the 2018-19 academic year, with further changes to take effect from 2021.

It will replace the broad subject areas pupils currently choose from – science, literature or social sciences – with more specific courses.

selfpromo.newsletter.titleselfpromo.newsletter.text

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.