Education Convention by Citizens: FCPE Warns Optimism May Be Misplaced, Anticipating Modest Outcomes
"Let's hope the mountain doesn't spawn a mouse," warns Grégoire Ensel, vice-president of the FCPE, on May 3rd, as Emmanuel Macron readies to initiate a citizen discussion centered around education, particularly holidays and school schedules.
In line with past citizen conventions on climate (2019-2020) and end-of-life (2022-2023), the head of state intends to gather a group of randomly selected citizens to ponder over the organization of school days and holidays. This upcoming convention, slated to start in June and potentially extend until the end of 2025, is under the wing of the Economic, Social and Environment Council. Its purpose, as explained by Emmanuel Macron, is to, "make the organization of school days more conducive to the growth and learning of students, while easing family life."
"Not just another talking shop"
Grégoire Ensel emphasizes that this convention should not be a mere chitchat event, remarking, "It must not be a citizen discussion for nothing. We'll keep a hawkish eye to ensure that political representatives and the government present practical guidelines." He's glad to witness the topic of education back in the limelight, though hopes that the discourse doesn't revolve solely around school hours. He pushes for the discussions to encompass social and school mixity, orientation, inclusive education, and the role of artificial intelligence in education.
The President of the Republic voiced concerns over the duration of summer holidays as "very, very long" in February, raising concerns about the risk of underperformance for less supported students. Grégoire Ensel, however, offers a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that "other European countries offer longer summer holidays than France while still managing to deliver better educational outcomes," citing surveys by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The vice-president of the FCPE also expresses the desire for the debate to be grassroots-driven: "We want every town, every neighborhood, every school to launch a detailed discussion on these topics and pass their proposals on to the citizen discussion." To conclude, Grégoire Ensel reiterates the FCPE's allegiance to the four-and-a-half-day week, considered "the rhythm best suited to children's needs." He advocates for the work of the discussion to prioritize children's interests during deliberations and decision-making processes.
- Grégoire Ensel emphasizes that the upcoming citizen discussion on education, scheduled from June to the end of 2025, should not be just another "talking shop."
- He insists that practical guidelines from political representatives and the government must be presented during this discussion, and he hopes the discourse will extend beyond school hours.
- Ensel urges for conversations about education to incorporate topics such as social and school mixity, orientation, inclusive education, and the role of artificial intelligence in education.
- In general news, Emmanuel Macron, the head of state, has expressed concerns about the length of summer holidays, fearing underperformance for less supported students.
- Grégoire Ensel, however, brings a nuanced perspective to this issue, noting that other European countries offer longer summer holidays than France while still achieving better educational outcomes, based on surveys by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
- Ensel encourages a grassroots approach to the discussion, calling for every town, neighborhood, and school to engage in detailed discussions on these topics and pass their proposals onto the citizen discussion, prioritizing the interests of children during deliberations and decision-making processes.
