science

High school blockades cause lost hours and raise concerns for...

In a Parisian high school constantly brought to a standstill, parents have done the math: the loss amounts to 15%, or 138 fewer hours of class.

paris, parcoursup, maurice ravel, personnellement, république, désavantage, ensuite, cours

Key facts

  • In a constantly paralyzed Paris high school, parents did the math: the loss reaches 15%, or 138 fewer class hours.
  • Since the start of the school year, blockades at some high schools have led to lost class hours and risk widening gaps between students as the…
  • According to the Ministry of Education, high school students enrolled in schools blocked for a month have lost an average of 10% of the year's class hours.

In a constantly paralyzed Paris high school, parents did the math: the loss reaches 15%, or 138 fewer class hours.

Since the start of the school year, blockades at some high schools have led to lost class hours and risk widening gaps between students as the baccalaureate and Parcoursup approach.

According to the Ministry of Education, high school students enrolled in schools blocked for a month have lost an average of 10% of the year's class hours.

On Thursday, November 12, 24 high schools were completely blocked, according to the same ministry. Classes there are canceled or held remotely.

This gap weighs directly on the academic record. With few grades since the start of the school year, some students fear a disadvantage when Parcoursup comes.

Catching up in one week on two or three weeks without classes is presented as unrealistic. The offering therefore does not, on its own, make up for the time already lost.

Not all students are experiencing the period in the same way. While classes are canceled or move online, some appear calm.

Dig deeper

What is Parcoursup?

Parcoursup is the national platform that manages applications and admissions to French higher education; applications rely heavily on high-school grades and teachers’ comments.

Why do these blockades weigh on the baccalauréat?

The baccalauréat, the end-of-high-school examination, and continuous assessment depend on classes and evaluations: weeks without grades widen the gap with students whose schools have not been paralyzed.

What does a “totally blocked” high school cover?

Classes there are canceled or held remotely, and the time already lost cannot be made up in a few days.

Why is Paris mentioned?

The capital has a concentration of high schools affected by these shutdowns, including one school where parents estimate the loss at 138 hours, or about 15% of the year.

What is at stake for students?

With few grades since the start of the school year, some fear a weaker academic record when applications are submitted, while not everyone experiences the disruption in the same way.

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