Educators oppose baccalaureate reform

French educators are criticizing the recent baccalaureate reform introduced by Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, with some calling for its complete abolition. They argue that the reform has created confusion and inefficiencies in the education system, particularly in how different specializations are valued.

HGGSP specialization praised for its history component

Teachers have noted that not all baccalaureate specializations are seen as equally valuable, with the HGGSP (History, Geography, Civic Education, and Social Sciences) specialization receiving particular praise. This is largely due to the strong emphasis on history within the program, which many educators consider essential for students.

Math and geography teachers voice concerns

Mathematics teachers have expressed frustration, claiming that the reform has diminished the importance of their subject in high school. Geography teachers have also raised concerns, noting that the themes of HGGSP are rarely explored from a geographical perspective. They argue that teaching geography in preparatory classes for higher education does not provide significant methodological benefits.

Reform criticized for creating overloaded schedules

Several educators have pointed out that the reform has led to overloaded and fragmented schedules, which high school students have also criticized. They argue that the changes introduced by Blanquer are responsible for these issues and suggest returning to traditional educational tracks and simplifying the curriculum.

Post-baccalaureate orientation criticized

Some teachers have highlighted problems with post-baccalaureate orientation, citing the overwhelming number of specializations as a challenge for students' future paths. One teacher compared the reform to a "McDonald's" approach, where students can freely choose their specializations, which they argue is misleading and does not adequately prepare students for higher education or the job market.