Back to school

Classes start today.

For 5858 students in Monaco it's the first day of the year, 4616 in the public schools, and 1242 in private ones. A slight increase compared to the 5837 who attended the Principality's establishments last year. On the payroll are 446 teachers, 134 of whom are Monegasques.

The Director of National Education Claude Peri, who replaced Yvette Lambin-Berti at the beginning of 2010, has two suggestions for parents. He's asked for their help in motivating students to be on time, and he's also urging them to allow their kids to travel to school by bus rather than taking them in the car.

Following successful exam results for Monaco's students last year, the 2010-2011 rentree has lots of new things on the timetable:

  • introduction of organic food into school meals
  • new history of Monaco textbook
  • all 400 primary school children must complete a project on local heritage
  • training for 50 teachers in new IT products
  • emphasis on cultural activities in collaboration with Monaco's orchestra, opera, and ballet

However at the top of the agenda are the secondary school reforms that were introduced last week into the French system by Luc Chatel, and which are now being put in place in Monaco. This year the reforms concern 15/16 year olds in the seconde year. Their education is to be more personalised, with extra tutoring, extra classes in economics, and extra lessons in a subject of their choice. The reforms will continue into the premiere and terminale years in 2011 and 2012.

More information for parents can be found on the Government's education website.

Rentree 2010-2011 : reform and excellent resutls

Rentree : it's the big day for 5858 students

The bell rings for back to school