In France, music education is part of a cultural education program (EAC) of pupils aged from 3-18.
It’s purpose is to guarantee cultural democratization and equal opportunities.

It means that every child is given the opportunity of getting in touch with music

How? Children listen to live music, meet artists, sing or play an instrument. They are led to invent and compose as well as to build specific knowledge to understand music.

In a joint declaration in 2018, the Ministry of Education in charge of the general education and the Ministry of Culture set priority on arts and culture in school activities and emphasized the place and role of music.

How long?

At the Nursery school and the Primary school (age3 to 10) two hours per week are dedicated by the generalist teacher. In some places, professionally trained musiciens called musiciens intervenants support the generalist teachers.

In Secondary school (in French collège) (age 11-14) musical education is compulsory one hour per week. Collège music teachers are all specialists.

In High school/ French lycée (age 15 - 18) there are three possibilities to study music, from 3 to 5 hours of music per week, but all of them are optional. Music teachers in these lycées are selected specialists.

What do student of Collège Ponsard study?

The official curriculum for music education is provided by the national Ministry of Education.