France may restrict entry rights

A report on 바카라사이트 future of French universities, commissioned by higher education minister Francois Fillon, raised a storm of protest when its contents were leaked to 바카라사이트 press.

Mr Fillon has now promised that no decisions will be taken before next May's presidential election.

The report of 바카라사이트 committee chaired by Daniel Laurent, interim head of 바카라사이트 new Marne-La-Vallee University, tackles taboo subjects including enrolment fees and an end to unrestricted access to university for all baccalaureat holders.

It says that 바카라사이트 expected influx of students with a technical or professional baccalaureat will increase failure rates and suggests separate institutes be set up by regional councils to cater for 바카라사이트m. If 바카라사이트 problem of mass entry on to first-level courses is not tackled, 바카라사이트 whole university system will be poorer, it warns.

The report proposes reorganising 바카라사이트 academic year to provide continuous teaching, a bonus for staff teaching first and second-year courses, more part-time studies, an end to most student rent rebates, increased enrolment fees and student loans after 바카라사이트 second year of study.

Cuts to 바카라사이트 student support programme would be balanced by means-tested grants.

Most criticism has focused on 바카라사이트 proposals which appear to signal 바카라사이트 break-up of 바카라사이트 national system. The report "executes public universities," UNEF, 바카라사이트 student union said, while 바카라사이트 academic union FSU warned of a "splintering of 바카라사이트 state system and its takeover by regional councils and industry".

Mr Laurent says he is only advising autonomy a la francaise with continuing state control of degrees and "바카라사이트 national coordination of teaching".

Roger-Gerard Schwartzenberg, a former higher education minister said: "French universities do not need Americanisation, just democratisation. This ultra-liberal project is an assault on 바카라사이트 republican tradition."

Mr Fillon promised that 바카라사이트 report was simply 바카라사이트 "starting contribution to a debate in which all members of 바카라사이트 academic community are invited to take part".

Academics, researchers and students are organising a national day of protest against government policy next week.