French Education Policy of Failing Students


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

French Education Policy of Failing Students

French Education Policy of Failing Students: Only the Vietnamese elite could enroll in the school and a very few among them passed school leaving examination due to the deliberate policy of failing students by the French authority. This policy of failing students applied, particularly in the final year, so that they could not qualify for the better paid jobs. Usually, as many as two-thirds of the students failed. School books glorified the French and their rule but criticised the Vietnamese as primitive and backward who were nothing, but ‘skilled copyists’. School children were told that only French rule could ensure peace in Vietnam.

In 1907, the Tonkin Free School was started to provide a Western style education to the Vietnamese, which included classes in science, hygiene and French.

The school’s approach was to look modern. It was not enough to learn science and Western ideas, but also to look modern. The school also encouraged the adoption of Western styles like short haircut, modern dress code, etc. For the Vietnamese, this meant a major setback to their own identity, as they traditionally kept long hair.

 
 


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