What Is the French National Education System?

A Clear Guide to How School Works in France

You’ve probably heard of the French “Éducation nationale”, but what exactly does it mean? Whether you're a student, a parent, or just curious about how education works in France, this guide gives you a clear, simple, and honest overview.

Let’s break down the structure, values, and goals of French public education — and what makes it so unique.

What Is “Éducation nationale” (French education system)?

In France, “Éducation nationale” refers to the entire public school system, from preschool to high school — and even teacher training.

It’s run by a specific government ministry: the Ministry of National Education and Youth.

It manages:

• Public schools (from age 3 to 18)

• National exams (like the "Brevet" and the "Baccalauréat")

• Teachers' training and recruitment

• National curricula and academic programs

Most importantly, it's a public service, aiming to provide free, secular, and compulsory education for all children living in France.

A Bit of History – How French Education Was Built

To understand the French National Education system, you have to go back in time. It didn’t happen overnight — it’s the result of major political decisions and strong ideals about equality and citizenship.

1881–1882: The Jules Ferry Laws – A Revolution for Public Education

Before these laws, school in France was often:

• Religious (run by the Church)

• Not mandatory

• Pay-to-attend (especially for the upper classes)

Jules Ferry, a minister and strong supporter of republican values, changed everything.He introduced three founding principles that still shape French schools today:

1. Free – No tuition fees for public primary school→ School became accessible to families of all backgrounds

2. Secular (Laïque) – No religious education in public schools→ Teachers had to be neutral and religion-free; churches were removed from classrooms

3. Compulsory – Children aged 6 to 13 had to go to school→ Literacy and citizenship became national priorities

Why it matters:These laws were a way to unite the country after wars and revolutions, by forming informed, critical-thinking citizens. They also reduced child labor, which was common at the time.

1959: Education Becomes Compulsory Until Age 16

A few decades later, France modernized its approach again.

Under President Charles de Gaulle, a reform led by his Prime Minister Michel Debré extended mandatory schooling from age 13 to 16.

Why this change?

• Because a basic education wasn’t enough anymore in a fast-changing economy

• Because students needed more time to acquire useful knowledge and prepare for jobs

• Because society was moving toward more fairness and opportunity

It also marked the beginning of the mass expansion of middle and high schools across the country.

Since then, school is mandatory for all children in France from age 3 (since 2019) to 16.

1989: A New Vision — "Every student can succeed"

In 1989, a new “Loi d’orientation sur l’éducation” (Education Orientation Law) was passed under Minister Lionel Jospin. This wasn’t about structures anymore — but about changing the mindset of education in France.

The key idea?

“Tous les élèves peuvent réussir.”→ “Every student has the ability to succeed.”

This law emphasized:

• Personalized support for students

• The importance of teamwork and cooperation between teachers

• The recognition of different learning rhythms

• The creation of a common core of knowledge for all (called “socle commun”)

This was a cultural shift: instead of focusing on selection and competition, the system tried to focus on inclusion and success for all.

Despite many reforms, the system is still based on three fundamental values:

1. Equality – every child deserves the same education

2. Neutrality – no religion or political opinion should influence public school

3. Compulsory schooling – from age 3 to 16

   
   

The Main Goals of French National Education

1. Provide basic academic knowledge→ Reading, writing, math, science, language, and more

2. Train responsible citizens→ Respect, critical thinking, secularism, and democratic values

3. Prepare students for the working world→ Career orientation, diplomas, vocational paths

4. Fight inequality→ The goal is to offer equal opportunity regardless of background

   
   

The Structure of the School System in France

Primary Education (École primaire)

• Preschool (École maternelle): Ages 3–6

• Elementary school (École élémentaire): Ages 6–11

Children learn the basics of literacy, numeracy, and how to live together.

Secondary Education

• Middle school (Collège): Ages 11–15Students follow the same core curriculum. They take the “Brevet” exam at the end of 9th grade (3e).

• High school (Lycée): Ages 15–18Three main tracks:

  • General (for university)

  • Technological

  • Vocational (for trades or apprenticeships)Ends with the Baccalauréat, the national graduation diploma.

    
    

The Core Principles of French Education

1. Laïcité (Secularism)

• No religious instruction in public schools

• No visible religious symbols

• All beliefs are respected equally

2. Political Neutrality

• Teachers stay politically neutral

• No indoctrination allowed

3. Free of Charge

• Education in public schools is paid by taxes

• No tuition for school, books, or exams

4. Compulsory

• School is mandatory from age 3 to 16

• Homeschooling is allowed under strict regulation

Who’s Behind the Scenes?

• Teachers are recruited and trained through public exams and specialized institutions (INSPE)

• Academic inspectors, school principals, rectors all ensure the system runs uniformly

• The Ministry sets the programs, so a student in Paris studies the same subjects as one in Marseille

What Makes It So French?

• A strong focus on national unity: everyone learns the same content

• A culture of state exams and diplomas

• A deeply rooted tradition of secularism and republican values

Hot Topics & Challenges

While the French system is respected for its structure, it also faces criticism:

• Persistent inequalities between social backgrounds

• Academic pressure, especially around the Baccalauréat

• Teacher shortages in some regions

• Complex bureaucracy

Still, France remains one of the few countries offering a fully free, national education system with strong values of citizenship, equality, and critical thinking.

Why Should You Care?

Whether you're:

• An international student

• A foreign parent living in France

• An aspiring youth worker or educator (e.g. BAFA/BAFD certified)

→ Understanding how the French education system works will help you navigate it, work with it, or support those who are part of it.

Quick Recap

Objective	What It Means
Provide knowledge	Teach key skills to succeed in society
Train citizens	Promote respect, diversity, secularism
Prepare for work	Offer diplomas and career paths
Reduce inequality	Help every child have a fair chance to succeed

What's Next?

Soon on the blog:

• Public vs Private vs Homeschooling in France

• What it means to be a teacher in the French system

• Youth programs outside of school (education populaire)

• Using Program RW (a playful “fake money” game) to teach responsibility and citizenship in after-school settings

Got questions?

Leave a comment or message us directly.And if you’re curious about how to combine play, responsibility and citizenship in your youth programs, check out Program RW 👇