Dimitri, a 17-year-old final year student in professional management and administration at Beaugrenelle high school in Paris, is beginning his holiday with a sense of obligation to continue his education. He plans to pursue a BTS next year in order to aim for a bac + 2, as he believes that a GA baccalaureate alone is not enough to find work. Like many other students, Dimitri questions the value of the exam he will take in June.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Education is planning to launch two working groups on the subject of upgrading the professional baccalaureate and CAP, which together impact 40% of secondary school students in France. The goal is to align professional baccalaureates with more highly regarded technological and general pathways. Proposed changes include reorganizing the curriculum to streamline examinations and assessments, as well as introducing a more general timetable for students before specializing in a specific field in 1st grade. While these changes are welcomed by some, others express concerns about the added workload and lack of choice in their educational paths.
For students like Julien and Aliou who feel they did not have a choice in their educational paths, the lack of information and guidance on post-baccalaureate options is a recurring issue. Despite their reservations, they remain hopeful for their futures and aspire to pursue higher education opportunities in the future.
