Time allocation for compulsory subjects in the cinquième26
Until the new organisation of the cinquième came into force on 1 September 1997, the curricula and timetables were those fixed in 1990 and 1993, as provided in the table below, and accounted for 22.5 of the total 26 hours per week.26
| Subject | Hours |
| French | 4.5 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| First modern foreign language | 3 |
| History, geography and an introduction to economics | 2.5 |
| Civics | 1 |
| Biology/geology | 1.5 |
| Art | 1 |
| Music education | 1 |
| Technology | 2 |
| Physical education and sport | 3 |
| Total | 22.5 |
Source: EURYDICE UNIT, FRANCE (1997).
The above timetable for the cinquième changed during the 1997-1998 academic year.26 Full details of the new arrangements for compulsory and optional subjects in the cinquième are provided in section 5.3.2 and 5.3.3.
Options and timetables in the quatrième and troisième
Prior to 1 September 1998, students entering the quatrième had the choice between two types of study:
general study/education; and technological study/education28
Their choice determined the subjects studied and timetable followed, as detailed below:
Subject timetable for students in the quatrième and troisième, general branch (prior to 1 September 1998 for the quatrième and 1 September 1999 for the troisième) 26
| Subject | Hours taught |
| French | 4.5 |
| Mathematics | 4 |
| First modern foreign language | 3 |
| History, geography and economics | 2.5 |
| Civics education | 1 |
| Technology | 2 |
| Physics and chemistry | 2 |
| Biology and geology | 1.5 |
| Arts education (music and art) | 2 |
| Physical education and sport | 3 |
| Total | 25.5 |
Subject timetable for students in the quatrième and troisième, technological branch (prior to 1 September 1998 for the quatrième and 1 September 1999 for the troisième)26
| Subject | Hours taught |
| French | 4.5 |
| Mathematics | 4 |
| First modern foreign language | 3 |
| History, geography and civics | 3 |
| Technology | 7 |
| Physics and chemistry | 1 |
| Biology | 1 |
| Arts education (music and art) | 2 |
| Physical education and sport | 3 |
| Total | 28.5 |
In addition to these compulsory subject areas, students also selected one compulsory optional course. They could also choose a second optional course if they wished. The hours for the various options were as follows:
| Optional subject | Hours |
| Latin | 3 |
| Greek | 3 |
| Second modern foreign language | 3 |
| Intensified study of first modern foreign language | 2 |
Details of the new arrangements for compulsory and optional subjects in the quatrième and troisième are provided in sections 5.3.2 and 5.3.3.
Prior to the 1999/2000 reform of the lycée, regardless of the specific vocational Baccalauréat a student was taking, they studied for 30+ hours each week, usually distributed as follows:
In addition, three to six hours were set aside for individual projects and 16 to 20 weeks were spent on on-the-job training over two years.23
Users are recommended to read this section together with section 5.2.
| 6- to 8-year-olds |
studied most subjects of the compulsory curriculum, but the sciences, technology, history and geography were combined in one subject entitled 'discovering the world' (découverte du monde). Modern foreign languages were also studied by many children during this phase even if only for very short weekly sessions. Their introduction into the elementary school curriculum commenced in 1989, on an experimental basis. English was generally the language studied. When studied, a foreign language was usually studied during what would normally have been French lessons. 28 |
| 8- to 11-year-olds |
studied all subjects of the compulsory curriculum, but modern foreign languages was an optional subject for 8- to 9-year-old students (studied for a maximum of 1.5 hours per week during what would normally have been French teaching), and all the sciences and technology were combined into one subject (science and technology). History and geography were also studied jointly.28 For students in the final year of elementary school education (age 10-11), the study of a modern foreign language became compulsory in September 1998. 67,16,70 |
During the period 1992 to 2002, there were 26 hours of lessons per week in the école élémentaire, usually taught over four-and-a-half days; schools usually close on Wednesdays and on Saturday afternoons as well as on Sundays.23
Central government defined overall time allocations per subject area for each of the compulsory subject areas of the statutory curriculum (see the table below). Some flexibility was, however, afforded to individual schools who could, for example, increase or decrease by a maximum of two hours the time set for each of the subject groups. This flexibility was designed to enable the individual teacher - aware of the strengths and weaknesses of his/her class - to devote extra time in certain subjects to those children who needed it. 10,23
Compulsory subjects and time allocation
Basic learning cycle - elementary school children aged 6-8 26
| Compulsory subject area | Number of hours |
| French |
9 |
| Mathematics |
5 |
| 'Discovering the world' (sciences, technology, history, geography) and civic education |
4 |
| Art (and music), PE and sport |
6 |
| Supervised study |
2 |
| Weekly total |
26 |
Note: In the final year of the basic learning cycle (children aged 7-8), up to one hour of French teaching could be taken up by the optional study of modern foreign languages. This was introduced in some elementary schools on an experimental basis in 1989.28
Compulsory subjects and time allocation
Primary consolidation cycle- children aged 8-1128
| Compulsory subject area | Number of hours |
| French and/or modern foreign languages |
9 |
| Mathematics |
5.5 |
| History/geography; civics; science and technology |
4 |
| Art, sport and PE |
5.5 |
| Supervised study |
2 |
| Weekly total |
26 |
Note: Up to one and a half hours of French teaching could be taken up by modern foreign languages. This was introduced on an experimental basis in some elementary schools in 1989. In September 1998, the study of a modern foreign language became compulsory in the final year of elementary school education (children aged 10-11).
Sports and artistic and cultural activities were frequently also offered in addition to the 26 hours of teaching. These extra-curricular activities were usually arranged by local organisations or associations. A supervised or directed study service in the afternoons, usually provided by teachers, was also available for children whose parents work.28