France Drops Plan to Make Brevet Mandatory for High School Entry

Education Minister Elisabeth Borne reverses controversial policy while announcing new measures for the 2025 school year.

The government has scrapped the requirement for students to obtain the Brevet diploma to advance to high school, a policy initially set to take effect in 2027.
The Brevet exam will place greater emphasis on final exams, which will now account for 60% of the final grade, up from 50%.
Classes designed to support students who fail the Brevet, known as 'prépa seconde,' will continue in 2025 and be evaluated for effectiveness.
The planned elimination of 4,000 teaching positions has been canceled, with resources redirected to improve student-teacher ratios and support inclusive education.
Groups of need for French and math in sixth and fifth grades will remain in place but undergo evaluation, while their expansion to higher grades has been halted.