The reform explained to future teachers
On November 20, the Faculty of Education welcomed the Rector of the Occitanie academic region for a meeting on the teaching profession. Students in their third year of a degree in economics, science, STAPS or education came to find out about the prospects offered by the profession and the new reform of teacher training.
Agnès Perrin Doucey, Dean of the Faculty of Education, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of bringing future university graduates closer to the world of teaching in which they will be working. This is a sector in the throes of transformation, and one that has undergone successive reforms in recent years.
Better entry into the profession
The latest of these reforms, concerning initial training, was presented and explained by Carole Drucker-Godard, Rector of the Occitanie Academic Region and the Montpellier Academy. Alongside her were Mathieu Ruffenach, Academic Inspector and Regional Pedagogical Inspector in charge of initial training, Christophe Mauny, Academic Director of National Education Services for the Gard region in charge of primary education, and Laurent Gouze, Director of Human Resources for the Academy.
The reform introduces several major changes designed to promote a more immersive and clearer entry into the profession. Future teachers are now in the field right from the start of their training. New skills have been added to consolidate the practical and professional dimension of training, to better meet the demands of today's teaching profession. Another change is that students now receive remuneration from the first year of the Master's program. This is in recognition of their professional investment during their training. As the Rector emphasizes, " this reform is designed to improve entry into the profession ".
Extending the dialogue
The students were then able to put their questions to the speakers. A wide range of topics were discussed, including assignment criteria, details of final exam expectations and student civil servant status, and class sizes. A major concern for future teachers, to which Carole Drucker-Godard gave a clear answer:
"The reform will have no impact on class sizes. It's the demographic downturn that is currently leading to a drop in class sizes, with a national average of 21 pupils per class."
Finally, a dynamic quiz hosted by Agnès Vrinat, dean of inspectors, tested students' perceptions of the profession, its realities and its evolution. The meeting concluded with a moment of informal exchange. The stated aim? To encourage young people to become ambassadors for the teaching profession, and enable them to better project themselves in this meaningful career path, which remains, as Rectrice Carole Drucker-Godard reminded us, "the most beautiful profession in the world, because it's a profession where you feel useful".