The Ministry of National Education is preparing public schools for the removal of traditional academic series. Private schools are showing resistance.
Traditional series A, C, and D could permanently disappear. "According to the plan established at the ministry level, there will be no more A, C, and D series from this school year onwards. This planning stipulates there will be no more baccalaureate exams for these series," stated a source from the Ministry of National Education this weekend.
These tracks will be replaced by Literature (L), Scientific (S), and Organization-Society-Economy (OSE) series. These new series have been integrated into baccalaureate exams since the 2021 session. "The development of this new school program dates back to 2018 and has been tested in several schools across the island. The time has now come to implement it," the source continued.
The Ministry of National Education began last week informing education stakeholders of this decision and providing necessary directives. However, private schools are showing reluctance. "Administrative and pedagogical preparations have already been completed, including the annual distribution of school programs. With classes scheduled to resume Monday, September 7, 2026, the announcement of program changes comes suddenly and unexpectedly," stated a joint statement from private schools following an information session held Friday, September 4, at the ministry in Anosy.
Adaptation
Private schools emphasize they are not yet ready to implement this reform. They believe it is necessary to improve school program content and coefficients. "These coefficients risk misleading students due to a shortage of qualified teachers. This is compounded by the unavailability of teacher training modules, as the State is apparently unable to ensure training for all private school staff," the private sector statement also indicated.
Coefficients are particularly high for main subjects in the new series. They are 6 in mathematics, physics-chemistry, and life sciences for the S series, compared to 4 for certain D series subjects and 5 for the C series, for example.
Public sector teachers also believe adaptation time is necessary before permanently eliminating traditional series. "Several public and private schools have not yet tested the new program. Yet certain modules from the old curriculum have been removed while others have been added. We must start from the First year class to properly prepare future candidates," explained a mathematics teacher.
The ministry says it remains open to dialogue with all stakeholders. A ministry source indicated that a statement on the subject will be made this week.