Vocational high school reform: "170 hours" less of lessons, according to a union

"We are going through a back-to-school period where we are offering less to those who need school the most," regretted Axel Benoist, co-general secretary of the union during a press conference in Paris.

The reform of vocational high schools has long been denounced by the organization, which points to an ever-increasing place for work in companies to the detriment of student training.

From this school year, there will be "170 fewer hours of lessons for students who are going to enter the vocational baccalaureate for training", compared to high school students in previous years, stated Axel Benoist.

This calculation is based on a weekly reduction of two hours of lessons in the second and first year classes, linked to the introduction of a "differentiated course" over the last six weeks of the final year class.

This modality of the reform of vocational high schools, a campaign promise of Emmanuel Macron in 2022, was to come into force at the start of the 2023 school year before being postponed.

For the students concerned, the "differentiated pathway" at the end of the final year consists of choosing between a "pathway to prepare for professional integration" and a "pathway to prepare for continuing higher education".

The Snuep-FSU denounces the "principle of sorting students which reinforces inequalities in the face of examinations".

According to the union, students who choose the professional integration pathway, consisting of an internship, would therefore see their training reduced by 170 hours of lessons needed to prepare for the graduation diploma, which remains "the first line of defense, still and always, against unemployment."

Regarding the preparation course for further studies, it is not only about courses but also time devoted to "personal work" and "immersion in business", regrets Mr. Benoist.

The union also pointed out a lack of data on the overhaul of the training map initiated since the start of the 2023 school year by the Ministry of Education, with the aim of developing the training offered in vocational high schools according to the opportunities in each employment area.