Music education in FRANCE FFEM – May 2009 Fédération Française de l’Enseignement Musical, Chorégraphique et Théâtral
A heavy administrative organization 5 major administrative levels To manage 64 million inhabitants To finance more than music schools The State : grading – quality control – professional diplomas – higher education 22 regions : vocational training 101 departments : territorial planning municipalities (37,5 % EU) and intermunicipal organizations TThe main part of the financing NNo obligation about music education (no law)
Consequences A creative, dense but mixed music schools network A lack of cohesion between the different administrative levels A disparity in the status, the size and the financing of schools A disparity in the acces to music education for the public aas far as territory aas far as fees Besides… a real « French puzzle » for the directors !
The different types of schools 2 National Conservatories : Paris & Lyon 392 Conservatories listed by State 35 on a regional area 102 on a departmental area 255 on a local area 1284 unlisted music schools 2038 associative music schools = music schools supported by public funds = 1 million pupils = a budget of 1 billion € Music Dance Theatre
High standards training for teachers Since 30 years A quality training has been organized and developed for teachers for music tutors in primary schools for directors Training centers have been created In most of the regions (CEFEDEM) In the 2 National Conservatories of Paris and Lyon State diplomas for music education have been created « State Diploma » of Music Teacher (1st degree) « Vocational Certification » of Teacher or Director (highest degree) « University Diploma of Music Tutor » for primary school
Reforms in progress with large impact The previous situation a tradition of centralization a pyramidal system reserved for the most talented pupils Decentralization and new democratic process Objective → to reconcile artistic requirements with social demands Means → to work with regular school & art institutions → to take into account amateurs & adults → to vary different aesthetics & teaching methods → to play together → to develop a network of schools First results → a change in the assignments and image of our music schools → an increasing number of pupils & teachers for the last 10 years
A last word about… French Federation of Music, Dance & Theatre Education 1200 schools pupils teachers Promotion of a quality art education for everybody Publication of curricula and national repertoire for examinations Directors training Legal advice and insurance partnership for schools Development of links with professional associations Close cooperation with the French Ministry of Culture Founding member of EMU THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !