Bruno Le Maire, the former French Minister of Economy, has suggested lowering the age at which children start attending kindergarten in France. This proposal comes in response to concerns over declining performance by French students in the PISA test, an international assessment of education systems. PISA evaluates students' skills in reading, mathematics, and science, and France has consistently ranked below the global average in recent years. Le Maire made his remarks on Tuesday, September 8, during an interview with the conservative media outlet CNews. He argued that starting kindergarten earlier—specifically at age 1 rather than 3—would help children develop essential language skills in a collective setting. He explained that early exposure to a group environment would allow children to "begin to learn words" more effectively, which he believes is crucial for future academic success. In a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account later that evening, Le Maire reiterated his position, emphasizing that kindergarten should be the starting point for prioritizing the learning of words and reading. He described this as a critical battle against educational inequalities, stating that "we must fight for reading." According to him, early education can help close the gap in language development among children, as some may enter school with significantly more vocabulary than others. Le Maire's proposal has sparked debate among educators and policymakers, who are considering the potential benefits and challenges of such a significant change to the French education system. While he frames the reform as a way to ensure equal opportunities for all children, critics may question the practicality and long-term effects of starting formal education at such a young age.