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Who made school free, secular and compulsory?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Jules Ferry. It was the laws of Jules Ferry. Public school became free in 1881, then secular and compulsory in 1882. They date from the Third Republic. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “La IIIème République (1870-1940)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “La IIIème République (1870-1940)” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Napoleon BonaparteNapoléon BonaparteNapoleon created the lycée and the baccalauréat, not free school.
- ✗ Charles de GaulleCharles de GaulleDe Gaulle founded the Fifth Republic, in 1958.
- ✗ RobespierreRobespierreRobespierre is a figure of the Revolution, before 1804.
- ✓ Jules FerryJules FerryCorrect answer. It was the laws of Jules Ferry. Public school became free in 1881, then secular and compulsory in 1882. They date from the Third Republic.
What the source says
« Elle généralise l’école publique gratuite en 1881 et l’école laïque et obligatoire en 1882, grâce aux lois de Jules Ferry. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Qui a rendu l’école gratuite, laïque et obligatoire ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the multi-year residence card (CSP). The Ministry's wording: “Qui a rendu l’école gratuite, laïque et obligatoire ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La IIIème République (1870-1940)” (French).
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