Despite student protests, Édouard Geffray refuses to change the baccalaureate exam and announces a simplification of Parcoursup.

Édouard Geffray does not want a modified baccalaureate exam to accommodate the disruptions caused by the student movement. In an interview with several readers of Le Parisien , published on Saturday, November 7, the Minister of National Education confirmed that he would not change the exam schedule or the general conditions to compensate for lost class days. "It's not a good idea to tinker with the baccalaureate," he explained, defending the maintenance of a common national framework for all candidates. This firm stance comes as blockades and demonstrations have disrupted several schools since October.

The minister acknowledges, however, that some students have been prevented from attending classes normally. For the most affected schools, the government is considering additional resources and the implementation of catch-up programs, rather than modifying the exams. This approach aims to preserve the national value of the diploma while addressing the difficulties encountered locally. It comes as high school and university student organizations have been demanding measures for several weeks regarding teaching conditions, access to university, and the resources allocated to education.

Parcoursup: the letter of motivation in the minister's sights

Édouard Geffray also wants to simplify the admissions process for higher education. Among the announced changes is the elimination of the requirement to submit a personal statement as part of the Parcoursup application process . Currently, this statement is only required when the chosen program mandates it. The minister intends to streamline this procedure, which is regularly criticized by applicants and their families, particularly due to the time required to prepare multiple applications. The precise details of the reform will, however, need to be confirmed by the platform's new rules.

These announcements come two days before another meeting between the government and youth representatives. Several high school and university student organizations are scheduled to meet with officials at Matignon on Monday , following up on the social conference focused on wages and purchasing power. The government hopes to re-establish dialogue after several weeks of protests, but unions continue to demand commitments regarding resources for the national education system and access to higher education.