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Why are school children’s bags so heavy in France?
The problem persists despite official weight recommendations
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What is the average number of pupils in a French state school class – and how does it compare with the UK and US?
France’s declining population is helping to reduce average class sizes
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Who is responsible for repairing the electrical system in a new house in France?
The seller must provide a dossier de diagnostic technique, including a diagnostic électricité for installations older than fifteen years
Can primary school teachers give written homework?
MY SON is in CP in our local primary school. Every evening he gets hand-writing practice. My understanding is that written homework is banned in France for primary school. Is this true? If so, who could I complain to? NB
AS YOU know, CP is the first year of école élementaire and of obligatory schooling. Children usually start it at the age of six.
It is not considered normal to have written homework at any stage in primary school, although some teachers do reportedly ignore this.
The official rules state that a teacher can give out some reading or research of some kind, or give children some information to learn, however they are meant to avoid giving written tasks. This ban dates back 60 years, to a 1956 circular, which said 'no written homework … will be required of children outside class'.
See also service-public.fr and search for primaire devoirs.
A spokeswoman for the FCPE parents’ federation said in such a situation you should either speak to the teacher or, if that fails, complain to the inspection académique for the department. There is no benefit in complaining to the headteacher, she said.
