2023-09-14 04:30:00
On the occasion of the start of the academic year in higher education, the new supervisory minister MR who succeeded Valérie Glatigny, who resigned for health reasons, takes possession of her subjects. Faced with the concern expressed among the student ranks regarding the new rules for success, Françoise Bertieaux decides: “Why would there be damage if the students take things seriously? Young people are no dumber than before. If we were able to succeed before the Marcourt decree (Editor’s note: this text which had modified the rules for success in 2013, allowing you to advance in your career without having passed all your courses, was reformed with new, clearer success guidelines and more strict, since last year), why would this no longer be possible? “
The Fef (Federation of French-speaking Students) is concerned regarding the consequences for students of the new rules for success. In a year, to register for the 2024-2025 academic year, everyone will have to be in compliance with the new Landscape decree which, originally, should only concern new students from 2022-2023. Isn’t there a risk of breakage?
Studying is a job like any other. At some point, we breathe and move forward. We work, we hang on and we manage our stress. That society gives as many people as possible the opportunity to access higher education is very good. Now, not everyone is cut out for this. A lot of professions, sometimes with very good income, do not go through higher education. These successes should also be better highlighted. The new rules make it possible, in my opinion, to make some people understand more quickly that studies are not for them. We cannot always adapt the system for those who do not succeed.
Last week, rectors denounced the underfunding of the sector which harms the quality of higher education. If we don’t have money, should we limit the number of registrations and organize more entrance exams?
I am in favor of limiting access, only when there is a good reason. In medicine, the Inami saga showed that a mechanism had to be found: the entrance exam is the solution. The level of requirements among engineers, at the start of the sector, also justifies the entrance exam. On the other hand, I am once morest limiting access, just because there are too many people.
The rectors also complain regarding the number of French students who swell the ranks by being subsidized by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. What can you do ?
This is a big topic that will be heavily debated. In January, Belgium takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Caroline Désir and I will be present for education and higher education subjects. And the subject chosen for higher education is precisely student mobility. I hope to be able to evolve the lines. A feasibility study is underway regarding the idea of increasing costs for non-residents. But we must be very careful, we must not get our feet caught in the carpet of European law. We cannot contravene free movement in Europe. We should also not create obstacles to the freedom of our students. Imagining a more expensive registration here for non-residents, one might imagine retaliatory measures from one country or another. In short, everything must be legally defined, and with a more detailed analysis of the mobility of our students.
What regarding the new French proficiency test, at the start of the new initial training for future teachers? Could it be taken as a filter?
Contrary to what some people wanted, it’s not one, no. It is indeed a test at the start of the first year but, first of all, it is not obligatory. And what’s more, it doesn’t prevent you from registering in case of failure. It allows you to automatically validate 5 credits if it is passed, otherwise you must follow and pass the course.
Do you think that the new initial training will attract more students towards careers as teachers?
It’s too early to tell. Registrations close at the end of the month.
“I am opposed to those who want to reduce teaching to its purely utilitarian dimension”
On LN24, Monday, Minister-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR), seemed to suggest that some cleaning up would be necessary in the courses of study currently offered in higher education. Is this your opinion?
When we exit the current moratorium, the new decree provides that any new authorization (Editor’s note: request for authorization to organize a new diploma) must be financed by the establishment for the first three years and that, to open a new authorization, he will have to undertake to remove another one. This implies, for certain establishments, a sort of “housekeeping”. Where all the authorizations are relevant, it is true that choices will have to be made. I am aware that this can be a difficulty. But it is a good thing that establishments are required to assess the relevance of all their authorizations. Sometimes, for a tree to grow well, you have to prune. The branches that remain will have more strength. I would nevertheless point out that exceptions are possible to the two rules of the decree, to better meet the needs of the market.
Are studies that do not lead to employment useless?
With the Minister-President, we met the rectors who told us regarding the enormous influx of psychology students and the question of their employability. Even if mental health budgets were increased, I doubt the market might absorb everyone. However, I am convinced that we must see two different parameters in higher education. There is a utilitarian side that leads to certain professions. But I am resistant to those who want to reduce teaching to this dimension alone. The academic dimension is just as important. We train minds. Coming back to psychologists, I want to say that if, one day, there are too many of them, they can always use their minds to excel in other tasks. Note that the massive success of certain sectors also raises the question of orientation and reasons for choice.
Exactly, is the new orientation tool expected for this school year ready?
No. There are still things to check. The online test should be launched during the year.
The reform of study allowances made noise this summer. Where are you ?
The problem is that the government note leaked before our discussions even began. The debate burst into public view before we might talk regarding it among ourselves. What I want now is to make what Valérie Glatigny had prepared land, with its two improvements: a greater number of beneficiaries and an allowance for koter students. Six million euros are on the table. It would be a shame if they didn’t go to the students.
”My career is behind me. I’m doing a temporary job. Afterwards, it’s time for the young people!”
Why did you agree to replace Minister Valérie Glatigny?
We won’t do it once more… I loved my job, 20 years in Parliament, 30 years in the municipality. Then I followed my husband to New York and, for four years, I moved into a completely different life. When we leave, I don’t think we’re being a mother-in-law. We don’t come to bother those who work. I have not given any public expression during this time. Fortunately, it was 6,000 kilometers and 6 hours difference from here. And then I was immersed in my drawing and painting classes, all in English. I have never been such a good student in my life: focused, diligent, hardworking. It helped me gain perspective. Even if, every evening, my husband and I rewatched the television news. In short, I never imagined that someone would call me one morning and that I would one day return to politics. But you would have had to be crazy not to accept… Especially on these matters which are so close to my heart.
How did the handover with Minister Glatigny go?
Alright. She was great. She explained everything to me for each file. I also had the chance to take the oath the day before the parliamentary recess. Then I had two months of blockade. I went on vacation with my binders. Few ministers have had this chance…
What are your intentions for the next legislature?
It’s very clear. My career is behind me. At the ministerial level, I am acting with this government. Afterwards, it’s time for the young people! There is plenty of talent in the party. I committed to being on the lists. I don’t know where or what place. I will do what I can to help my party win these elections and return them to government. But I don’t have any other plans.
”I will never defend what I have criticized, but I am capable of loyalty”
In opposition, you were a very critical parliamentarian. I remember your attacks on issues defended by those who are today your government partners. How do you deal, for example, with your criticisms concerning the registration decree (which regulates registrations in first secondary)?
I will never defend what I have criticized but I am also capable of loyalty. Since 2007, we have made a huge mistake. The first Arena decree caused immeasurable damage. He highlighted the complete schools that appeared fabulous to everyone, and marked others that no one wanted with a hot iron. Caroline Désir wanted to improve certain parameters of the algorithm which decides between candidates when there are too many. Only it’s like a ball of wool: if you pull on a string, you create a knot elsewhere. The problem has moved. So we will have to go further during the next legislature. We have to overwrite the algorithm and do something different. We must stop torturing parents’ demands and work on supply, rehabilitating certain schools. At the time, I had a list of schools that were not receiving any applications. Zero, even when you live nearby. And there are a few in Brussels. The common core can be an opportunity. We need to get them back on track. My idea is to explore educational partnerships so that the child knows where he will continue, from primary school. This is essential so that students’ paths remain consistent throughout the common core (up to secondary 3). When I hear regulating, forcing, I run away: we must help the routes, help the orientation.
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