Back to school what’s new?
A four-day week and new subjects, what else has the government reformed as pupils go back to class?
PRIMARY pupils return to school with a new four-day week calendar this academic year.
The reduction in teaching hours, scrapping Saturday schooling is part of a set of government reforms, with more plans to change the system for lycées.
Teaching hours in primaire have been reduced from 26 to 24 over the course of the week, with the majority of schools spreading them over four days, continuing the tradition of no school on Wednesday.
Unions and education experts have denounced the reduction.
Other reforms include:
Minimum service:Any strikes by unions that affect more than 25% of teaching staff must be notified 48-hours in advance so the local maires can prepare alternative facilities for children.
While the idea has the support of parents, who otherwise have to stay home to look after children during strikes, it has been criticised by unions and by the local authorities who say it does not give them enough time to prepare.
Extra help: An extra two hours of schooling will be made available to poor children and those who under perform.
Schools will decide how this will be organised either during lunch breaks or outside of normal hours.
The government says this will help children from poor families who cannot afford to pay for extra tuition.
A further two hours of cultural activities and homework help will also be programmed into the timetable, a plan that will be rolled out to schools in priority areas ZEPs.
Extra needs: The government is failing to stick to its own law of 2005 which orders teaching to be made available to all children with learning difficulties.
Among its moves to comply are the creation of 200 unités pédagogiques d’intégration (UPI) – specially designed classes and 2,000 helpers.
Disabled associations claim the posts have been thrown together on an ad-hoc basis and will not meet government targets.
Job losses
Education minister Xavier Darcos has announced that 11,200 retirees will not be replaced this year. He says that the dropping number of pupils, down 53,200 (a figure disputed by unions) and more flexibility among teachers will allow teaching to continue without any problems.
With supplementary hours, now possible after changes in the law, and bonuses the government believes it can make teaching more efficient.
Bonuses
New teachers are to get €1,500 each as a good will gesture ahead of government discussions about pay and conditions. Unions have said a larger plan needs to be put in place.
Photo:Scol22
