Mathematics will reintegrate the program of all first general high school students from next year. Unloved by students, the government intends to bring the subject up to date from college. Why such a backward step three years after the reform of Jean-Michel Blanquer? And how does the executive plan to go about implementing this new reform? We take stock.
General high school students thought they would definitely escape it, unfortunately not. This Sunday, November 13, the Ministry of National Education announced that the teaching of mathematics will once again be “obligatory” in the common trunk in the fall of 2023. It will apply in general first class and will concern “all students who have not chosen the mathematics speciality”, the government said in a statement. An hour and a half of mathematics will be provided to students each week. In an interview given to Echoesthe Minister of Education Pap Ndiaye explains that this measure is essential. “It is necessary to reconcile angry students with this discipline”, knowing that today in second year, high school students are “20 to 25% not having a sufficient level”, stressed the minister.
What are the objectives of this reform?
The objective of this revival, which cancels the measure of Jean-Michel Blanquer who had abolished the compulsory learning of maths for first and final year students, is multiple. The executive intends not only to continue to promote the excellence of our nation in this discipline, but also and above all to reconcile all students with mathematics and “encourage gender equality” in these specialties to nurture future vocations. “To combat gender stereotypes, the objective is to achieve gender parity by 2027 in the mathematics, physics-chemistry and expert mathematics specialties (girls are in the majority in SVT), and to strive for parity for the other courses (Engineering sciences – NSI – digital and computer sciences)”, can we read in the press release.
A comprehensive reform
To strengthen its long-term reform project, the government has devised a series of measures in the other levels. In the first degree, for example, all school teachers will receive training in mathematics within four years. In colleges, each establishment will have its own math club, from the start of the 2023 school year. In sixth grade, in order to support and stimulate students in learning mathematics, small groups will be set up. To enforce this, the government relies on teachers. Minister Pap Ndiaye explained to our colleagues that this plan will require “400 to 425 posts” full time. “It is not in mathematics that the difficulties of recruitment have been the most marked”. “Adjustments and compensation with the staff who will choose the mathematical specialty” could even be considered, he said.