# Baccalaureate reform: Geffray defends the exam schedule > In late October 2026, the Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, defended the positive aspects of the baccalaureate reform, while its architect, Pierre Mathiot, reflected on his responsibility for the contested system. On November 7, the minister responded to readers and refused to change the exam schedule despite student mobilization, while promising catch-up classes. The following day, he assured that he did not intend to touch the exams, in a context where an editorial mentioned a possible drop in the pass rate for the brevet after the reform. On November 9, he announced that catch-up classes could be organized during the February or Easter holidays, with the baccalaureate dates remaining unchanged. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 7 events nationwide, followed from 27 October 2026 to 9 November 2026. 46 articles from 25 sources (politics, society); last updated on 9 November 2026 at 18:45. - Status: ongoing - Category: Politics, Society - Place: Nationwide - First detected: 27 October 2026 at 20:01 - Updated: 9 November 2026 at 18:45 - Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/stories/97-baccalaureate-reform-geffray-defends-the-exam-schedule ## Coverage angles The three political sides report the minister's decision not to modify the exam schedule, but the left emphasizes student mobilization and disruptions, the center relays the minister's statements and context, while the right highlights the minister's justifications and the risks of a change. **Common ground** - The Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, refuses to modify the baccalaureate exam schedule. - The decision comes despite student mobilization and lost class hours. - The minister promises catch-up classes in disrupted high schools. - The Parcoursup schedule also remains unchanged. **Differences** - The left focuses on the scale of mobilization and disruptions, while the right cites the minister's justification regarding the risks of a change. - The center mentions the end of the mandatory motivation letter on Parcoursup, a point absent from the provided left and right articles. - A center editorial (Paris-Normandie) revisits the minister's comments anticipating a drop in the brevet pass rate, an angle absent from the other sides. ## Background _Context and reference points, separate from the story’s news; every item links to its source._ **Key terms** - **Baccalaureate**: A set of French national diplomas marking the end of secondary education, comprising three pathways leading to three distinct diplomas: the general baccalaureate, the technological baccalaureate, and the vocational baccalaureate. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baccalaur%C3%A9at_en_France)) - **Baccalaureate reform**: The 2018 reform which, for the general and technological baccalaureates, adds the consideration of continuous assessment to the national exam; until the 2020 promotion, obtaining these diplomas was entirely conditioned by a national exam. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baccalaur%C3%A9at_en_France)) - **Continuous assessment**: Ongoing evaluation that takes place at any time during learning, as opposed to periodic evaluation which assesses only a limited number of assignments; it should not be confused with an evaluation that systematically awards a grade. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89valuation_continue)) ## Timeline (7 events) ### 27 October 2026 — [Baccalauréat : Geffray défend les bons côtés de la réforme](https://acturadar.com/en/events/2225-baccalaureat-geffray-defend-les-bons-cotes-de-la-reforme.md) Le ministre de l'Éducation nationale Édouard Geffray estime qu'il ne faut pas oublier les aspects positifs de la réforme du baccalauréat. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide ### 27 October 2026 — [The designer of the bac reform takes responsibility 'up to a certain point'](https://acturadar.com/en/events/2283-the-designer-of-the-bac-reform-takes-responsibility-up-to-a-certain-point.md) Pierre Mathiot, designer of the baccalaureate reform, comments on his responsibility in the contested system. 2 sources, 2 articles · Nationwide ### 7 November 2026 — [Édouard Geffray défend sa vision du baccalauréat face aux lecteurs](https://acturadar.com/en/events/12521-edouard-geffray-defend-sa-vision-du-baccalaureat-face-aux-lecteurs.md) Le ministre Édouard Geffray répond aux lecteurs sur la réforme du baccalauréat et estime qu'il n'est « pas une bonne idée de bricoler le bac ». 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide ### 7 November 2026 — [Bac : Geffray refuse de modifier le calendrier des examens](https://acturadar.com/en/events/12663-bac-geffray-refuse-de-modifier-le-calendrier-des-examens.md) Le ministre de l'Éducation maintient le calendrier des épreuves malgré la mobilisation lycéenne et promet des cours de rattrapage. 18 sources, 23 articles · Nationwide ### 8 November 2026 — [Le ministre de l'Éducation assure ne pas vouloir toucher aux examens](https://acturadar.com/en/events/12890-le-ministre-de-l-education-assure-ne-pas-vouloir-toucher-aux-examens.md) Le ministre de l'Éducation nationale déclare n'avoir « pas l'intention de toucher aux examens », dans le contexte de la réforme du baccalauréat. 2 sources, 2 articles · Nationwide ### 8 November 2026 — [Editorial on the reform of the brevet](https://acturadar.com/en/events/13035-editorial-on-the-reform-of-the-brevet.md) An editorial looks back at remarks by Education Minister Édouard Geffray anticipating a drop in the pass rate for the brevet after the reform of the exam. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide ### 9 November 2026 — [Bac : Geffray annonce des cours de rattrapage en février ou à Pâques, calendrier maintenu](https://acturadar.com/en/events/13837-bac-geffray-annonce-des-cours-de-rattrapage-en-fevrier-ou-a-paques-calendrier.md) Le ministre de l'Éducation nationale Édouard Geffray a indiqué que des cours de rattrapage pourraient être organisés pendant les vacances de février ou de Pâques, les dates du bac étant maintenues. 14 sources, 16 articles · Nationwide --- Cite as: Acturadar, “Baccalaureate reform: Geffray defends the exam schedule”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/97-baccalaureate-reform-geffray-defends-the-exam-schedule Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology