Calls to scrap brevet exams

THE BREVET des collèges exams taken by every 15-year-old in France are outdated, unsuitable and should be scrapped, a parliamentary report has urged.

The National Assembly's cultural affairs commission said the two days of tests at the end of collège should be replaced by a qualification achieved entirely through continual, year-round assessment.

Doubs MP Jacques Grosperrin, who led the study, said a better "evaluation of pupils' skills and practical life exercises" was needed - such as marked exercises on writing a covering letter for a job or holding a conversation in English.

The brevet is currently based on a mix of continual assessment during the academic year - including IT and a foreign language - plus the results of end-of-year tests in French, maths and history/geography.

"We think it is necessary to call time on this version of the brevet," Mr Grosperrin said.

"The context is changing and it is time to update what is taught and make it more lively and interesting for pupils."

Teachers' unions Unsa and Sgen agree that the brevet should focus more on practical skills. However Education Minister Luc Chatel said there was "no question" of getting rid of the qualification - but did not rule out changing how it was assessed.

Last year 82% of pupils passed the brevet des collèges, which marks the end of a pupil's compulsory school career - although many then go on to lycée.

The April issue of The Connexion includes an article explaining exactly what tests your child has to take during his or her school life - and the key dates for this year's brevet and baccalauréat.