It is a question of ethics but of pragmatism

Schools are mobilized for social openness, provides Christian Margaria. But the problem, according to him, is broader: it concerns the whole of higher education, and the image are young people from modest backgrounds.

On social opening, schools are often in the position of accused...

Stop stigmatising schools. As universities select not at the entrance, believed that they are more open than schools. But another form of selection takes place a selection by the failure, especially in the early years. For our part, it long ago that we are concerned about the access of the disadvantaged in our students. As of 2003, the Conference took position on this subject. Several working groups have emerged on parity, on social opening, on the basis of disability. Last year, we have Federated these groups in a Committee chaired by Pierre Tapie, Director General of Essec. And schools are increasing initiatives.

Specifically, are these initiatives the extent of the issue

We are going to solve everything from one day to the next day, of course. On the other hand, the objective is not to host any class in high school...

Between the approach of Sciences po and of the ESSEC business school, have you chosen

All ideas are good to take. It is then time to evaluate the results. Sciences po approach characterized by a kind of "positive discrimination" to applicants from modest backgrounds is a good method. It provides rapid results. But it deals with the consequences, and not the causes of the problem. Term, businesses are unlikely sort candidates based on their way to school entry

Many students encounter financial problems, and reluctant to engage in schools who pay the high tuition fees. How to solve this problem

There are many solutions: waivers of tuition fees, scholarships, learning, bank loans, various aid... We implement. No Director of high school has never abandoned a student who had financial difficulties if he was aware. But the financial aspect is only the visible part of the iceberg. In reality, the problem is beyond the scope of our schools: three quarters of the graduates of master's level have at least one of the two parents framework or senior. The "social" discrimination therefore plays everywhere. The problem also arises before higher education: the learning of reading aptitude tests show social "bias" from the very young age.

Self-Finally, many students of modest medium to censorship: they believe that a high school, is not for them, that it is too long and difficult. Often added parental censorship, and even the teachers. Result, many give up trying to integrate a high school.

What solutions do you recommend to avoid these reflexes of self-censorship

Need to change the image that many young people studies. To do this, we work upstream. A part of the population has lost confidence in higher education. It is serious. Then, should be addressed on the educational channel. No need to make the great schools of scapegoats. If the proportion of children of workers has decreased at Polytechnique, is not for discrimination, but simply because the percentage of workers in the whole of the population has dropped. Diversity, in all its forms, is source of wealth. It is a question of ethics, but of pragmatism. Between 25 and 35 of youth are from immigration. If the business of this component, they run to failure. But to change behaviour, it will take a generation.