Back to school 2026: SNUEP-FSU denounces the "disregard" of vocational training

As the start of the 2026 school year approaches, the National Union of Vocational Education (SNUEP-FSU) is criticizing the reforms implemented in vocational high schools since 2017. The organization of the final year, the baccalaureate exam schedule, increased class sizes, and teacher shortages are among its main concerns.

For the National Unitary Union of Vocational Education (SNUEP-FSU), the start of the 2026 school year is in line with the policies carried out since 2017 in vocational high schools.

"We are seeing a return to school reflecting the two five-year terms (of Emmanuel Macron) where the vocational track is not taken into consideration," said Axel Benoist, co-general secretary of the union, during a press conference.

Further details are expected regarding the final year of vocational training.

The union official particularly deplores the absence, in the Official Bulletin published following the back-to-school conference of the Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray, of details on the organisation of the differentiated route in the final year of vocational baccalaureate for the 2026-2027 school year.

"The regulatory texts have been in place since May, but the service note has still not been released. We are preparing for the start of the school year without being aware of these elements," he laments.

A baccalaureate exam schedule deemed unfavorable

The SNUEP-FSU also criticizes the schedule for the 2027 baccalaureate session. According to the special Official Bulletin of August 25, 2026 , the written exams for the vocational baccalaureate will begin on June 3 with modern languages. The French exam is scheduled for June 8, while the first final exams for the general and technological baccalaureate will begin on June 14 with philosophy.

"For vocational high school students, we are removing one week of classes. We are not going back to what they were boasting about, which is to reinstate exams as they were before," says Axel Benoist.

As part of the reform of vocational high schools, the vocational baccalaureate exams had been brought forward to mid-May in 2025, before being postponed to the beginning of June in 2026.

Reforms deemed unenforceable on the ground

More broadly, the union representative describes the reforms undertaken in vocational high schools since 2017 as "ill-conceived, poorly designed", believing that they cannot "be applied on the ground".

According to him, successive ministers have "accumulated failures." He cites the differentiated learning path, the sharp reduction in co-teaching hours between teachers, and the elimination of the capstone project, a project carried out by students in connection with their future profession.

"These reforms all have the same objective, which is not the interest of students, but that of businesses above all," accuses Axel Benoist.

The union representative specifically mentioned the government's alleged intention to increase time spent in companies by 50%. He argued that this approach "distances the students from the knowledge and skills" acquired in the classroom.

Approximately 40.000 additional students in four years

According to SNUEP-FSU, public vocational high schools will welcome approximately 545.000 students during the 2026-2027 school year, compared to 505.000 four years earlier.

"However, the resources have not kept pace," laments Axel Benoist, who warns of the increase in the number of students per class and the deterioration of learning conditions.

This increase in student numbers is compounded by persistent recruitment difficulties. "There won't be a vocational high school teacher in front of every class at the start of the school year," warns the co-general secretary of the union.