The Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer assured Friday May 13 that there will be “the necessary breeding ground” mathematics teachers at the start of the next school year, reacting to concerns about a drop in eligible candidates for teacher competitions.
Teachers’ unions are concerned about this drop in National Education recruitment competitions, particularly in mathematics. According to the first results of the External Capes in Mathematics, published this week, only 816 candidates are eligible, for 1,035 positions.
The situation is all the more worrying since the return of mathematics to the common core from the first class must be done from the next school year, which will therefore require more teachers.
“We have a subject of vocation”
“As regards mathematics teachers, we have the necessary pool to ensure the hour and a half that would take place from the next start of the school year”said Jean-Michel Blanquer, interviewed on BFMTV.
The reform of the baccalaureate makes mathematics and sciences more in-depth for students who are destined for a scientific career.
The “mathematics plan” has made it possible to start improving the level of mathematics for all pupils in primary school: pic.twitter.com/P3X85rRZXg— Jean-Michel Blanquer (@jmblanquer) May 13, 2022
The drop in candidates for competitive examinations mainly affects mathematics or German this year, the minister said, “but traditionally, in France or in other countries, it is in maths and sciences that we have the most difficulty” to recruit. As for the competition for school teachers, the shortage of candidates is especially felt in the Paris region, assured Jean-Michel Blanquer.
“We see it for certain competitions, not only for National Education, we have a subject of vocation”, according to the minister. “It is fundamental work that we do to [en] to stimulate” and “It starts first with the attractiveness of the profession”he added, citing “the beginning of the salary increase that we have started, especially for the youngest”. “In two years, a beginner earns 165 euros more per month to reach a minimum salary of 2,000 euros.continued Mr. Blanquer.