Education Minister Anne Genetet discussed on Monday with unions the possibility of not extending the “groups of needs” in 4th and 3rd grade next year as initially planned, but instead implementing a more “comprehensive” approach to supporting students. The minister indicated that the groups, originally called level groups, which were introduced this year in French and mathematics in 6th and 5th grade, would be “maintained next year” for these classes.
While the measures of the “shock of knowledge” presented last December proposed creating these groups in 4th and 3rd grade next year, the minister has put forward two scenarios: either extending them to 4th and 3rd grade in the 2025 school year or developing a comprehensive approach with “high school ambition” as the guiding principle. This option would go beyond simple groups of needs and would rely on various strategies, such as strengthening homework assistance in 3rd grade, offering methodological support, or increasing the number of success workshops during vacations.
The idea of extending the groups of needs to 4th and 3rd grade is still under discussion, with a focus on providing schools with the necessary resources to carry out a pedagogical project. However, there seems to be a shift in plans regarding the generalization of groups in 4th and 3rd grades and the expansion of preparatory classes for students who failed the brevet exam, which was initially planned for next year. The generalization of preparatory classes may not happen in the 2025 school year, and the ministry is considering continuing the experimentation with a pilot school in each department.
Reforms related to the brevet exam are not expected to take place until the 2026 session, with the possibility of it becoming mandatory for progressing to 10th grade under consideration for 2028. Budget constraints and unanswered questions surrounding various issues were also highlighted during the meeting by education union representatives.
Syndicates including FSU, UNSA-Education, FNEC-FP-FO, CFDT-Education, CGT-Educ’action, Snalc, and SUD-Education called for the cancellation of over 4,000 job cuts proposed in the 2025 education budget. They also demanded immediate salary increases without conditions and a reduction in class sizes, threatening to strike over budget issues.
Overall, the discussions surrounding education policy changes for the 2025 school year continue to evolve, with unions advocating for comprehensive support for students while addressing budgetary constraints and various unresolved issues. The minister’s consideration of alternative approaches to supporting students, such as through workshops and methodological assistance, reflects a broader shift towards a more holistic educational strategy that goes beyond the initial plans for groupings based on need.
