Overview

• Starting in September 2025, all 6th-grade students in France will be encouraged to participate in physical fitness tests, though the program will not be mandatory.
• The tests will assess basic physical abilities, such as speed, endurance, and long jump, to identify students' fitness levels and tailor physical education programs accordingly.
• A 2024 pilot program involving 4,000 students revealed disparities in fitness levels, with girls and students from disadvantaged backgrounds performing worse.
• The initiative builds on President Macron's broader push to combat sedentary lifestyles in schools, following the 2022 policy of daily 30-minute exercise, which faced inconsistent implementation.
• Education Minister Élisabeth Borne and Sports Minister Marie Barsacq announced the expansion during an Olympic-themed event in Reims, emphasizing the importance of addressing health and social equity through education.