Emmanuel Macron announced a major reform in teacher education, shifting teacher recruitment exams to the undergraduate level starting in 2025. Referred to as the creation of “normal schools of the 21st century”, this change will see teacher recruitment exams take place at the bachelor’s level rather than at the master’s level as was the case since 2022. In addition, universities will be tasked with opening new bachelor’s degree programs in education that will focus on subjects such as French, mathematics, geography, and history. This reform aims to streamline teacher education programs and ensure better job prospects for graduates.
However, implementing this reform will not be without challenges. Universities will need to close existing programs in order to open up new teacher education programs, a task that may prove difficult. Identifying programs with poor job prospects and ensuring that affected students and faculty can transition to new programs will be key elements of the reform. Some university officials have expressed concerns about the practical implications of these changes, particularly regarding the availability of resources and the potential impact on existing programs.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding the implementation of the reform, it is scheduled to take effect in 2025. Questions remain about which programs will need to be closed in order to make room for new teacher education programs, and how universities will manage this transition. The reform will also impact students who are already in university programs, as they may need to adjust their course of study or reconfigure their career paths in light of these changes.
As the reform prepares to roll out, the focus is also on the first students who will enroll in the new teacher education programs. These students will undergo a “pre-integrated” preparation program that combines undergraduate studies with a master’s degree in education, with the goal of preparing them for careers in teaching. While the government has indicated that more students will be able to participate in these programs starting this year, it remains to be seen how universities will accommodate the increased demand while operating within existing budget constraints.
Overall, the reform aims to modernize teacher education in France and better align it with the needs of the education system. By restructuring teacher recruitment exams and creating new undergraduate programs in education, the government hopes to improve the quality of teacher training and increase the number of qualified educators entering the workforce. However, the practical challenges of implementing these changes remain to be addressed, and it is likely that universities and education stakeholders will need to work together to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
