among teachers' unions, the announcement of the compulsory certificate goes badly

In front of the exit of the Albert-Bayet high school, in Tours, Tuesday November 12, 2024, the announcement caused a reaction. Earlier in the day, in an interview, the Minister of National Education Anne Genetet detailed her program for “relaunch the educational elevator”. One of the flagship measures: the obligation to obtain the middle school certificate to enter a general or vocational high school from 2027.

“A reform that’s a little too strict”judge Noah, who finds the idea punitive for those who fail the exam. “There are some who may have the ability to succeed without having the patent”says Noa, one of his comrades. “It would have put pressure on me, I would have missed it”Noah continues. In 2024, the test had a success rate of 86.7% in Indre-et-Loire, and 85.6% in France.

“It looks like selective sorting”

For others, the idea is not without appeal. “It’s good, it will teach them to learn better”says a second-year high school student. “It gives interest to the patent”adds another, who underlines the essentially symbolic aspect of the diploma. “When you have it, you're happy for five minutes, and then you throw it in the trash. »

Among the unions, the pill is having difficulty passing. “It’s similar to selective sorting, to social reproduction”harpoons Anne Grandet, co-president of Snes-FSU in Indre-et-Loire. A measure opposed, according to her, to the objective “to make a large number of students succeed, with ambition”.

“For us, it looks like demagoguery”adds Philippe Baretto de Souza, the other co-president of the union, who sees it as a « sanction » for middle school students.

Trade unionists also see in the announcement of the extension of needs groups to the 4^e et 3^ein the form of one hour per week of French or mathematics, another “disorganization”. An extension which, with constant resources, will be to the detriment of the current organization, Anne Grandet anticipates: “It’s not extra resources. »

“It adds pressure”

“It adds pressure on students and families”adds, Cedric Picard, from Unsa Education. He is concerned about the implementation of such a reform, and the support for college students “left behind”.

According to the minister, students who fail the certificate will either be redirected towards professional sectors, such as CAP or towards a “second prep”. “Where is it done?asks the professor. With what means? An idea is given to us, and we have the impression that the consequences are beyond the pale. And the CAP is not a siding, not at all. »