France, today, is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the Euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the educational system in Europe even further.
France is in Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain.
The climate in France is generally cool winters with mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral blow over this beautiful country that is the cultural capital of the world.
France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers. In 1999, France's GDP was close to FF 9,000 billion (EUR 1,330 billion), i.e. FF 150,000 (EUR 22,000) per inhabitant. Of this total, just over FF 600 billion (EUR 95 billion) were devoted to initial or continuing education: 7.2% of GDP. As far as school education spending is concerned, France is in a middle position, behind the Nordic countries ( Sweden and Denmark), but fairly significantly ahead of Italy and Japan.
Around 13 million pupils attend school in France. The system is a unified one, whose present general structure (primary schools, colleges, lycées) was gradually put in place during the 1960s and 1970s, ending the formerly more compartmentalized system which was based on a clear separation between primary and secondary education.
Since the 1970s, France has also had an outstanding record with respect to the development of pre-school education; all 3 to 5yearolds can go to nursery classes.
Since 1967, school attendance has been compulsory for those from 6 to 16 years of age. France has 60,000 primary schools catering to pupils during their first five years of formal education: the first three years (CP - course preparatory - and CEl/CE2 - course elementary 1 and 2) provide a grounding in the basic skills. The next stage - CM1/CM2 (course moyen 1 and 2) takes the children up to the end of primary school.
Secondary schooling is divided into two successive stages, known as cycles. From 11 to 15 years, almost all children now attend a college, taking them from form 6 (sexisms) to form 3 (troisième) (1). Since 1975 there has been a single mixed-ability college for all pupils regardless of their level of achievement. After form 3, they move onto a general, technical or vocational lycée. These prepare pupils for the corresponding baccalaureate examinations, which they normally take at the age of 18.
Decisions about pupils (repeating years, moving up to a higher class, changing course) are taken through a procedure involving a dialogue between the school (teachers, administrative and ancillary staff) and the families and pupils. Although the teachers give their opinions in what is known as a "class council" — consisting of representatives among pupils, teachers and parents — parents can appeal against a decision and demand (depending on the pupil's level) that the pupil move up rather than repeat the year, or repeat the year rather than do a course they do not wish their son or daughter to pursue. In every school, there are specialist counselors to help pupils, parents and teachers resolve any problems they may encounter.
Today, form 3 (which is the final year at college) is the first point at which children have a choice regarding some of the subjects they wish to study, and the direction they would like their curriculum to take (although they must choose a foreign language in form 6, and another in form 4).
The vast majority of pupils attend schools which are overseen by the Ministry of National Education. However, around 100,000 (suffering from various disabilities) go to special schools run under the aegies of the Ministry of Health, and 200,000 go to agricultural lycées (technical and vocational courses). Finally, 300,000 others, aged 16+ undergo apprenticeships (work contracts), which — since the 1987 reform — can prepare them for all types of vocational qualification.
Educational
System
Around 13 million pupils attend school in France. The system is unified one, whose present general structure (primary schools, colleges and lycees) was gradually put in place during the 1960s and 1970s, ending the formerly more compartmentalized system which was based on a clear separation between primary and secondary education.
Since the 1970s, France has also had an outstanding record with respect to the development of pre-school education, all 3 to 5 year-olds can go to nursery classes. Since 1976, school attendance has been compulsory for those form 6 to16 years. France has 60,000 primary schools catering to pupils during their first five years of normal education the first three years (cp – course preparatory -and CEI/CE2 –course elementary 1 and 2) provide a grounding in the basic skills. The next stage –CM1/CM2 (course moyen 1 and 2) takes the children up to the end of primary school. Secondary schooling is divided into two successive stages, known as cycles. From 11 to 15 years, almost al children now attend a college, taking them from 6 to form 3. Since 1975 there has been a single mixed-ability college for all pupils regardless of their level for achievement. After form 3, they move onto a general or technical vocational lycee these prepare pupils for the corresponding baccalaureate examination (referred to as le bac) which they normally take at the age of 18. Decisions about pupils (repeating years, moving up to a higher class, changing course are taken through a procedure involving a dialogue between the schools.
The vast majority of pupils attend schools which ate over seen by the Ministry of national education. However around 100,00 (suffering from various disabilities) go to special school run under the aegis of the Ministry of health, and 200,000 go to agricultural lycees(technical and vocational courses). Finally, 300,000 others aged 16+ undergo apprenticeship (work contracts) which since the 1987 reform- can prepare them for all types of vocational qualification.
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