This document is an English-language abstract (approximately 1,500 words) of a French report in response to an IBE questionnaire. Studies conducted by the Ministry of Information have revealed that particularly serious educational wastage has been taking place on both the elementary and secondary levels, and the French education system is not well geared to fullfill its cultural, social, and vocational training functions. Research into the influence of the socio-economic background has revealed it as being one of the important factors of the maladjustment. Reforms that are being implemented are striving to equalize the educational discrepancies between regions, classes, and sexes. Equality of opportunity is the main goal of the Sixth Plan (1970-75). For those unable to attend school regularly, the Ministry of Education has created an external teaching center. More and more scholarships are being awarded, even to foreign workers' children. Compensation is being made for shortcomings in family background, such as hygiene, nutrition, sleep, and housing. To counteract the uneven distribution of schools, plans have been drawn up and budgeted so that new buildings will more adequately fill the needs of each region. The full report is available in microfiche (SIRE/032) from the International Bureau of Education, Palais Wilson, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. (Author/GDB)