French Economist Urges Long-Term Education Reform, Cites Portugal & Germany as Models
PARIS – As France grapples with persistent educational challenges, economist Xavier Jaravel is advocating for a sustained, long-term strategy focused on clear objectives and a important elevation of student performance, notably in mathematics.Jaravel, Deputy President of the Economic Analysis Council and an associate professor at the London School of Economics, stresses that addressing foundational skills is crucial, even as France lags behind nations like Estonia in preparing for the rise of artificial intelligence.
Jaravel emphasizes that success isn’t solely academic. “Believing in oneself must also be taken into account,” he stated, highlighting the importance of holistic student growth. He points to the need for concrete action regarding artificial intelligence, noting Estonia’s proactive teacher and student training programs while France remains far behind. While acknowledging potential difficulties for engineers requiring a technical understanding of AI, Jaravel believes strong language skills will be paramount for other applications. “In this specific case, it is knowlege of the language which is essential,” he explained.
The economist draws parallels to successful educational reforms implemented in portugal and Germany in the early 2000s, comparing their approach to France’s current ecological transition strategy. “In France, this is what we did for the ecological transition. Of course, there are sometimes setbacks and certain devices that are difficult to wear deserve to be reviewed. But, at least, a clear course has been defined,” Jaravel said.
Jaravel, who received the prize for best young economist from Le Monde and the Circle of Economists in 2021, and published “Marie curie lives in Morbihan” in 2023, focuses his research on inclusive growth, international trade, and inequality. his call for sustained commitment comes as France approaches a critical electoral deadline in 2027, urging policymakers to prioritize a durable vision for the nation’s education system.
