Ombudsman calls for clear rules for private education in France

France's government must review the rules that surround the country's private education, from schools to universities, a report by the national education ombudsman has said.

The ombudsman concludes that the French state does not exert enough control over private education at all levels and that the nature of the links that exist between the state and private education providers, including schools, are not well understood on either side.

There also needs to be greater clarity about use of the term ‘university’, the report says. This is a particular problem when international institutions set up operations in France and call themselves universities, even though, under French law, this is not allowed. The confusion over this is unsatisfactory and should be resolved, the report warns.