Revised Teacher Training Plans: Half-Day Sessions, Year Off for Some; Elisabeth Borne's Proposed Orientation Schedule for Fifth-Graders to Post-Graduate Students
A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Student Guidance in Schools
Fed up with the stress caused by the college, high school, and post-baccalaureate transitions for both students and parents, French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne is taking action. In an interview with Le Figaro, Borne expressed her concerns about the unaddressed issues and the role they play in exacerbating inequalities. On June 4th, Borne unveiled her solution – a comprehensive plan titled "Plan Avenir." Here's the lowdown.
Workshops for Secondary School Leaders
Minister Borne plans to organize workshops for school principals in secondary education. Starting this fall, approximately 30,000 third-grade head teachers will participate, getting half a day of training to help them better support their students. In addition, each secondary school will create its own tailored guidance project to provide an enhanced experience for its student body.
Career Days for Students
Starting from fifth grade and continuing through high school, students will have four half-days dedicated to guidance each year. These sessions will focus on teaching students valuable skills needed for career planning and decision-making. In college, the focus will be on teaching self-discovery, self-awareness, and visioning for the future. In high school, priority is given to skill development for navigating the digital world, setting goals, and adapting to change.
During these sessions, students will also explore various professions by visiting companies and attending forums. The government aims to facilitate experiences that encourage engagement, community service, and global visits.
Partnership with Families
Recognizing families as crucial partners in the guidance process, Minister Borne plans to provide parents with a practical Guide from Onisep, accessible on the Avenir platform, during the school year. The minister also aims to establish regular parent-student-teacher meetings before the second trimester's council meeting for third and second graders. To further simplify the naming of professional and technical training courses, this process will be streamlined starting from the 2026 school year.
Encouraging Post-Bac Gap Years
To make higher education more flexible, the government intends to encourage the post-bac gap year. This practice, relatively uncommon in France with only around 9,000 high school students participating, is common in many European countries. In this context, the minister proposes that students could earn university credits for the time spent on their gap year. To help more students take advantage of this opportunity, universities have suggested developing pre-university educational programs for hesitant high school graduates. The government's goal is to reach 45 such programs by 2027.
Shorter BTS Programs
For vocational high school graduates, Borne aims to experiment with the possibility of completing a BTS in three years, with another year of pre-university education to boost their skills before continuing in higher education. This initiative will be kicked off in at least one high school per academy by the 2026 school year. Similar three-year programs for engineering schools will also be developed for vocational students.
Strengthening the Partnership between State and Regions
To ensure the success of the Plan Avenir, Minister Borne plans to sign a charter with regional authorities to clarify roles and responsibilities. The government will handle education and guidance, while regional authorities will focus on connecting educational institutions with businesses.
In summary, Minister Borne's plan, "Plan Avenir," aims to create a more enjoyable, stress-free experience for students as they navigate the complexities of their educational journeys, with the support of their families, educators, and regional partners. The plan emphasizes collaboration, guidance, and growth for all stakeholders, ultimately aiming to reduce inequalities in the educational system.
- The government, through Minister Borne, is collaborating with regional authorities to strengthen the partnership between state and regions, with a focus on the government handling education and guidance, and regional authorities connecting educational institutions with businesses.
- As part of the "Plan Avenir," the government is planning to facilitate experiences that encourage self-development in students by organizing career days from fifth grade through high school, providing tailored guidance projects in secondary schools, and encouraging post-baccalaureate gap years, which are aimed at promoting education-and-self-development and reducing the stress of transitions.
