Le Mag (18/02:2022 ) : France-Belgique: le match des écoles !

Summary

This video script delves into the challenges and evolving approaches in education, particularly in Belgium and France. It highlights the impact of international rankings like PISA, the shift in educational focus from humanities to science and math, and the new reforms like personalized student support dossiers. The conversation also explores the struggles of vocational education, the lack of digital training for teachers, and the growing importance of professional paths. The script offers a thought-provoking view on the future of education and its alignment with global standards.

Takeaways

• 😀 The current educational system in Belgium faces challenges, such as students graduating without basic literacy and numeracy skills, a situation seen as dramatic and concerning.
• 😀 International rankings, such as the PISA tests, focus on math and reading skills but overlook important aspects like creativity, citizenship, and social values, which are crucial in education.
• 😀 There is concern that the focus on PISA rankings pressures countries, including Scandinavian ones, to conform to standards that might not align with their educational values.
• 😀 Belgium's educational system is showing slight improvements, with some regions reporting progress in student outcomes, though the exact reasons for these changes are unclear.
• 😀 The new student 'accompanying dossier' in Belgium is a digital tool designed to track a student’s progress throughout their education, aiming to prevent failure and reduce retention rates.
• 😀 The 'common core' curriculum in Belgium ensures all students follow the same core subjects until the third year of secondary school, where they can specialize in areas like general, technical, or vocational education.
• 😀 There has been a delay in implementing the student dossier and the common core due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the new rollout now planned for 2022.
• 😀 Belgium faces a gap in digital skills training for teachers, which became especially evident during the shift to online learning during the pandemic. Teachers in Belgium are more digitally trained compared to their counterparts in France.
• 😀 In both Belgium and France, vocational education is often undervalued, with many students and parents seeing it as a fallback option rather than a viable educational path. This is slowly changing, however.
• 😀 The perception of vocational education is changing, with more students from France choosing to pursue higher education in Belgium, reflecting a growing recognition of the value of vocational studies in the Belgian system.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script regarding education in Belgium and France?

The main issue discussed is the challenges within education systems, particularly focusing on the gap between academic achievements measured by PISA surveys and the broader educational experience, including creativity, citizenship, and personal development.

What are the limitations of the PISA surveys mentioned in the transcript?

PISA surveys primarily measure competencies in math and reading, but they fail to assess other important aspects of education such as creativity, critical thinking, social skills, and citizenship.

How has the perception of certain academic disciplines changed in Belgium over time?

In Belgium, the focus has shifted from the humanities, such as rhetoric and eloquent communication, to a greater emphasis on technical and scientific disciplines, reflecting a broader societal trend towards prioritizing practical skills over theoretical knowledge.

What is the dossier d'accompagnement des élèves, and how does it aim to improve education?

The dossier d'accompagnement des élèves is a digital portfolio that tracks a student's progress throughout their education, documenting their challenges and the support provided to address them. The goal is to reduce school failure and repetition by offering personalized, ongoing support.

What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on the education systems in France and Belgium, according to the transcript?

The pandemic forced schools to quickly shift to online and hybrid learning. In France, the lack of teacher training in digital tools became apparent, while Belgium had already made some progress in digital literacy, which helped educators adapt more effectively.

How does the transcript address the issue of teacher training in digital tools?

The transcript highlights that while Belgium has made progress in training teachers to use digital tools, France faced significant challenges, particularly during the pandemic, when teachers were unprepared for the sudden shift to online learning.

What is the debate around vocational education in France as mentioned in the script?

Vocational education in France has long been stigmatized as a last resort for students who 'fail' in traditional education. The transcript discusses how this perception is changing, with an increasing recognition of the value of vocational skills and the success of individuals who pursued vocational paths.

What role does the Belgian education system play in the increasing popularity of vocational education?

The Belgian education system is portrayed as more open to vocational education, which has helped raise its profile, especially in contrast to the negative perceptions often found in France.

What impact do international rankings like PISA have on educational systems, according to the transcript?

International rankings such as PISA put pressure on countries to conform to a specific standard of education focused on measurable outcomes like math and reading skills. This pressure can lead to a narrowing of the educational experience and may not account for other important educational goals.

What personal experiences are shared in the transcript related to education systems in Belgium and France?

The transcript includes personal stories from individuals who navigated the education systems in both countries, highlighting the challenges faced by students in vocational tracks and the stigma attached to these paths. One participant shares their journey from a vocational track to a successful career in design.