Bruno Le Maire Calls for Early Kindergarten Entry to Combat French Student Decline
Former finance minister Bruno Le Maire suggested admitting children to kindergarten at age one to address falling academic standards in France.
In a televised interview, former minister Bruno Le Maire proposed advancing the start of kindergarten from three to one year of age, claiming it would help French pupils overcome language deficits and narrow early-life inequalities. He warned that repeated reforms have failed and that a new educational model is needed. Le Maire outlined four measures: earlier language immersion, increased autonomy for school heads, independent evaluation of schools, and redefining success from a 100% baccalaureate rate to 100% employment or activity after school.
He also suggested placing vocational training under regional responsibility. His remarks come as France records its lowest PISA scores since 2025, with significant drops in reading and math performance and persistent social-origin gaps.
