The education sector of France is in a state of flux. Currently, the

The education sector of France is in a state of flux. Currently, the admission process to universities is nonselective, allowing every high-school graduate to enroll for any degree. However, certain suggested reforms to this system including the introduction of a screening process for undergraduates at the entry level have sparked protests as students take to streets with banners displaying slogans against President Emmanuel Macron while many continue their sit-on to protect their right to education.

The current system has been in place since 1808 when Napoleon Bonaparte introduced the schoolleaving baccalauréat as an entrance ticket to university. However, as the number of graduates taking and passing the test has increased exponentially, the inef}ciency of the system became more and more apparent. The bac’s holders can study any subject of their choice in any university. So, a student with the knowledge of only elementary math can enroll for a math degree. Moreover, public universities are mostly funded by the state and hence are affordable, attracting numerous students to apply for these universities. However, as the resources at the disposal of public universities hardly increased over the past few decades, a number of students struggle to get adequate education and therefore, the number of successful students leaving university within three years – the desired time frame - is on the decline.

Mr. Macron has been reasonable in his suggestion that universities must assess the suitability of an applicant for the applied degree and offer voluntary catch-up courses for sustained support. The process will not only free up some space in already crammed classrooms but also save many students from shunning studies because they could not cope up. Some argue, and justly so, that retaining students who will never finish their degrees is a deliberate waste of taxpayers’ money.

It is true that these reforms promise a better education system with fewer drop-outs and more successful candidates. However, students and other critics are unduly relentless in their backlash, arguing that the proposed initiatives are planned to curb their right to choose. Hence, the reformers need to move wisely but slowly to make the French higher education system more efficient.

1. What is not true per the passage?

A. Implementing a selective process will help reduce the number of students in a class.
B. The bac’s degree is the only criterion to apply for admission in public universities.
C. The government proposes to introduce mandatory catch-up courses for every student.
D. Funding provided by the government to the public universities makes them affordable for numerous applicants.
E. Since past few decades, many students struggle to complete their university degree in time.


2. It can be inferred from the passage that the taxpayers’ money will be deemed better utilized if:

A. the screening process is put in place at the entry level of university education.
B. the protests are minimized for smooth conduct of classes.
C. more classrooms are built to conform to the needs of increasing students.
D. the number of college drop-outs is checked.
E. students successfully complete their degree within the time frame assigned by the university


3. The author will agree to which of the following?

A. The reasons for students’ protests are well-founded.
B. Napoleon Bonaparte lacked planning and vision while introducing the baccalaureate.
C. Selection of a degree by a student must be based on his/her capability and acumen for the selected subject.
D. No matter how long it takes, a student must leave the university after successfully completing the degree.
E. Change in the fee structure of public universities will certainly reduce the number of students enrolling for a degree.