French Education Minister Calls for No Afternoon Exams Amid Severe Heatwave for Baccalauréat

Édouard Geffray, France's Minister of National Education, has announced a strong preference to eliminate afternoon exams during the ongoing extreme heatwave coinciding with the baccalauréat (bac) exams next week. Speaking on France Inter on June 14, 2026, Geffray emphasized that conducting exams between 2 PM and 6 PM is "no longer feasible" in light of soaring temperatures, advocating instead for morning sessions to safeguard students' health and exam conditions.

Meteorologist Patrick Marlière reported that the new heatwave is expected to be significantly more intense than the previous one in May, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and reaching 37°C to 39°C in the Paris region. This heatwave, lasting between eight and ten days and potentially accompanied by thunderstorms, may disrupt the scheduled exams, including the philosophy exam set for Monday, June 15.

Geffray's comments highlight a responsive adaptation by the Ministry to ensure exam fairness and student well-being amid unprecedented climatic challenges. The minister's call aims to avoid exposing students to the dangers and discomfort of high afternoon temperatures during critical national tests.