FRENCH CIVILIZATION
is after the French Revolution in 1789 that the principles of instruction common to all were installed. The educational system was also divided into three levels: primary, secondary and higher education, a division that still exists today.
later, Napoleon gave the monopoly of the state education system, and that of his reign that date back some of the major schools structured according to the military code, such as Polytechnic.
With Jules Ferry (1881-1882), under the Third Republic, the school was made compulsory and free, and secular, which means that his education and environment do not allow the manifestation of religious dogma.
These principles of universality, free and secular school system continue today, every child must make a school between the ages of 6 and 16. The vast majority of schools are under the direct control of the Ministry of Education, there are also private schools, but they are under contract with the state, that is to say, they must comply with official rules and programs from the department.
Because of its highly centralized system, the French school award national diplomas which are based on joint programs to all schools. The recruitment of school teachers was also held at the national level, through teacher training institutes (teachers) for primary schools or through national competitions, such as Caps and aggregation for colleges and high schools (level secondary).
Elementary School
A child can start their schooling at the age of 2 years, with kindergarten, to the age of 5 years. At this level, it develops through many stimulating activities its sensitivity to the world that surrounds and an ability to learn independently. This stage, called pre-elementary education is not compulsory but most children are involved.
At six, children enter the first education, which lasts 5 years and consists of the Preparatory Course, Basic Course (2 levels) and average (2 levels). During these five years, the child learns to read by reading, writing by business writing and composition and after acquiring the basics of computing and mathematics. The child is also introduced to a foreign language, usually English, as well as new technologies such as computer science. Classes at primary level are composed of boys and girls (mixed classes) and are generally driven by a schoolteacher, who teaches all subjects.
The college and high school
The second stage begins at the sixth, it is shared between the first cycle (from 6th to 3rd) and the second cycle (second, first and final). Students take lessons in core subjects (eg, French, mathematics, history, geography, science, foreign languages, physical education etc..) That are taught by specialist teachers.
The first cycle ends with the patent colleges, the first official certification of the school system. At this level, children can choose between continuing their studies in mainstream education (BA) or the vocational track, the latter offering diplomas (CAP or BEP) through short courses of one to two years.
Most students choose to continue to the baccalaureate, which opens the doors of higher education and universities. There are a number of options for the bachelor, according to the interest or abilities of students. Some choose the option scientific (Bac S), other economic option (Bac ES), others the literary option (Bac L).
The type of studies pursued at the higher level will naturally predetermined by the option chosen bachelor. Tests of this review take place in June and in two stages, first at first, then the terminal then. The baccalaureate exams are national, that is to say that they are identical in all the examination centers in France. Statistically, one in four candidates fail each year degree.
Université et grandes écoles
L’enseignement supérieur en France peut être divisé en trois branches principales :
- Les Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (IUT). Ils offrent sur deux ans des formations professionnelles spécialisées et sanctionnées par un diplôme (DUT);
- Les universités - elles offrent un large choix de formations : Licence générale ou professionnelle (3 ans); Master 1 et Master 2 (un ou deux ans après la licence); Doctorat (trois ans après le Master 2);
- Les Grandes Ecoles, telles que l’Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA), qui forme les cadres de l’Etat; Ecole Polytechnique, which trains engineers and scientists, the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC), which form the elite world of finance and trade, higher teacher (ENS) that train future teachers. Access to these prestigious schools is through national competitions in which candidates are preparing for two years of intense work in preparatory schools.
