The principle

All students, regardless of nationality, have access to public education. No immigration document is required. Schooling is mandatory for children both sexes from 6 to 16 years of age who reside on French territory. The conditions for registration in educational institutions are the same for foreigners and nationals.

The persons responsable, under the meaning of article L731-4 of the Education Code, of a child of foreign nationality subject to mandatory schooling, are required to take the measures provided by law to ensure that schooling is followed (circular or March 20 -2002, BO Ed.Nat. No 13). Schooling may be done in public or private establishments.

The obligation to  pursue schooling

Altrough all parents must register their children in an educational institution, the child may neverthless receive schooling within his own family, provided the parent have informed the Municipal Authority (Le Maire) and the Academy Inspector (l'Inspecteur d'Académie) of same by a declaration stating the last name, first name, and date of birth of the persons responsible and the address of the child. The parent's declaration must be renewed each year for the term of family instruction.

Audits may be performed by the Municipal Authority and the Academy Inspector to verify that the family instruction is consistent with legislation setting forth the content of required education for children.

Violation of schooling obligation

Any violations of the schooling obligation may result in the suspension or termination of welfare payments made to the parents.

In addition, when the schooling is given within the family, the parents are subject to fine if they have not given a declaration to the Municipal Authority or the Academy Inspector.

If the instruction given at home is not consistent with a child's rights to schooling, the Academy Instructor may require the parents, by written notification, to register their child in a public or private institution within 15 days. Failure to abide by such obligation is punishable by six months' imprisonment and a fine.

If the child never received any schooling the Academy Inspector is required to inform judicial authorities.

End of schooling obligation

When the child has reached the age of 16, the schooling obligation is over.

Educational institutions are therefore no longer required to insist upon mandatory education, and may accept or refuse enrolment to schools based upon files submitted for their review.

Shoolling is given in France in both public education institutions,as well as in private institutions.

 Conditions for admission to be complied with

All students must be admitted to the private school, without distinction made in regard to origin, option or belief.

  Conditions in regard to teaching

-Teaching must be given in complete compliance with freedom of conscience (religious teaching shall not be mandatory) and the students are subject to a right of reservation so as to protect student's freedom of conscience.

-The teaching must be given according the rules and curricula of public schools, which does not exculde a certain degree of pedagogical freedom, which is even more the case in private schools under a simplified agreement.

 Conditions in regard to recruiting of teachers

The teachers must have complete civil capacity, and fulfil the physical conditions specified for teaching personnel in public institutions etc.

In addition, the teachers must have the diplomas required for the corresponding teaching position as established for public institutions, or equivalent diplomas.

The teachers so recruited shall have a social security and administrative status equivalent to public school teachers.

Schooling of a child of foreign origin

Elementary school

Depending upon his level of French, the child is admitted :

-Either in an ordinary class with remedial classes if necessary

-Or in an initiation class (CLIN) to the French language on a full time basis for 2,6 or 9 months or part-time

Study of the mother tongue is possible in certain elementary schools.

In grade school and high school

The child is enrolled :

-Either in an ordinary class, with remedial French classes if necessary

-Or in an introcuctor class for non-French speackers

Study of the mother tongue in secondary eduction is possible. It may be chosen :

-As the first living language in 6th

-As the second living language in the 4th

-As the third living language in second