When the Pisa results came out in September, the reactions in France were at least as subdued as elsewhere: reading comprehension was deteriorating, as were skills in mathematics and science.
But France stands out in one way. The difference in results between students from well-off households (the top 25 percent) and those belonging to households with the least resources (the bottom 25 percent) is greater than in most other OECD countries.
- Children from socio-economically disadvantaged environments have significantly less chance of succeeding in the education system in France than in, for example, Sweden and other Nordic countries. It has been that way for a long time. And it also shows itself through large differences between schools, says Éric Charbonnier, who works on the Pisa study and is one of France's leading school experts.
The student protests began in Paris suburbs such as Créteil and Saint-Denis, where there were reports of teacher shortages, leaking roofs, 30-degree heat in the summer and rats and other vermin in the premises.
Now they have grown into a national movement that demands more equality in school.
- In vulnerable areas, schools find it difficult to attract teachers, including substitutes. Pupils there miss more lessons than in affluent areas. At the same time, maintenance is lagging because it is the regions and municipalities – not the state – that are responsible for it, says Charbonnier.
The contrast to the elite schools in inner-city Paris, a few metro stations away, is stark.
It is a consequence of an education system that Napoleon Bonaparte laid the foundation for in the early 19th century. It was based on early screening out the best students and putting them in elite high schools, "lycées", where they were prepared for studies at prestigious "grandes écoles".
Broadly speaking, that system has persisted to the present day, although there is now also a state school for all.
Getting into an elite French school requires study discipline from an early age, and it helps if one's parents understand the system and master the cultural codes. Affluent parents also often choose to send their children to Catholic private schools, where about 20 percent of France's junior and senior high school students attend.
The state finances 70 percent of these private schools' costs, which makes the price lower than in, for example, the United States for the individual. But critics such as economist Thomas Piketty argue that it cements inequality in France.
At the same time, the state spends more resources on education than many other countries in the OECD.
- This applies not least to upper secondary school. But the money does not necessarily go to the teaching itself, because teacher salaries are lower in France than in countries like Sweden, says Éric Charbonnier.
- Part of the explanation may be that 11 percent of all high schools have fewer than 100 students. Having so many small schools is expensive.
The protests often claim that public schools in Paris have 35 students in each class. Is that correct?
- For 15-year-olds in France, the average is 29 students per group in lessons in mathematics and French. But there are big variations. In big cities there are sometimes 35 students, while classes are smaller in rural areas.
The students also complain that the school day doesn't end until around 6 p.m.
- Yes, in France we have 1,200 teaching hours per year compared to 1,000 hours on average in the OECD countries. In addition, with only 36 teaching weeks, compared to 38 in other countries. It provides fully fed schedules.
The admissions system to the university has also received harsh criticism?
- Parcoursup, as the system is called, has an algorithm that makes the first selection for the university. It is accused of lacking transparency and leading to stress among students. Many fear that one or two bad grades will ruin their chances.
The universities are also allowed to rank high schools. Doesn't that disadvantage students from under-resourced schools?
- Such criticism has been brought forward, yes. But others say, on the contrary, that it would be unfair not to take the school into account. Because do all schools rate the same way? In France, many would say that it is more difficult to get good grades at an elite high school in central Paris than at other schools.
That sounds elitist?
- Definitely. In France, we are still very much influenced by the Napoleonic era. There is a "republican" elitism that is very strongly rooted. It is not at all like in Sweden, where the idea of equality is deeply rooted in the school's culture. In France, we have "liberty, equality, fraternity" as our election language - but in education, equality has never really existed, says Éric Charbonnier.
