Emmanuel Macron visited the Blanche primary school in Paris on April 5, 2024, where he expressed his belief that the current system does not adequately prepare individuals to become teachers and may even discourage some from pursuing a career in education. He announced plans for a major overhaul of teacher training, specifically in the primary education sector, with the aim of taking a more proactive role in shaping the preparation of future teachers. Macron unveiled the creation of new undergraduate programs, known as “teacher preparation licenses,” which will focus on subjects such as French, mathematics, history, and geography, as well as innovative teaching methods. The recruitment exam for primary school teachers will be moved to the undergraduate level (bac + 3) by 2025, instead of the current requirement of a master’s degree (bac + 5), with students who complete the new program receiving a streamlined exam process.
This proposed reform represents a significant shift in teacher training, with the traditional master’s degree in “teaching, education, and training professions” being replaced by a new type of program in “21st-century teacher training schools” for both primary and secondary education. Macron emphasized the professional focus of the new master’s program, which will involve practical experience working with students from the outset under supervision, gradually increasing the amount of time spent in actual classrooms. In the first year of the master’s program, students will be considered student-civil servants and receive a salary, with debates ongoing about the exact amount – the Ministry of Education suggesting 1,400 euros per month, while Matignon mentions 900 euros per month. In the second year, they will become student-intern civil servants, earning 1,800 euros per month, and be required to serve a certain number of years working for the government after completion.
While the government has not provided a definitive cost estimate for the reform, leaked documents have suggested a budget of 607 million euros between 2025 and 2027. The rollout of the new undergraduate programs and master’s degrees is planned for the 2025 academic year, with additional modules potentially being introduced for students in their third year of study who wish to apply for the next recruitment session as early as 2024. Ultimately, the government aims for 80% of primary school teachers to be recruited through this post-undergraduate pathway.
In conclusion, Emmanuel Macron’s proposed reforms to teacher training aim to revolutionize the current system by introducing new undergraduate programs and master’s degrees focused on practical experience and innovative teaching methods. By moving the recruitment exam for primary school teachers to the undergraduate level and emphasizing professionalization from the outset, the government hopes to increase the quality and effectiveness of teacher preparation. Despite uncertainties about the overall cost and exact details of the programs, the government is committed to implementing the changes by 2025 in order to enhance the recruitment and training of future educators.
