Pilot Project Dept: Every school day since December, the students have wrapped up their class time at 1:30, and headed out with a teacher to devote the afternoon to fun and games. One day recently, they could be found at a recreation centre on a lake, riding mountain bikes and learning to sail, according to Globe And Mail. Just letting go is exactly what the pilot project launched by Lycee Jean Vilar hoped would help students improve their grades, their attitudes and their general approach to life. Even in the short term, the results have been so impressive that French Education Minister Luc Chatel announced this month that he plans to introduce the concept to 100 schools across the country in September and in the course of one semester, their grades have gone up by 10 per cent, their teachers say their concentration has improved and their parents say they sleep better and spend less time staring at their computers. Sport, it seems, is the secret of this success. “It feels like a new day,” said 16-year-old Cedric Sellier, having just discovered the difference between port and stern. “I haven't forgotten about my courses, but now I'm on my catamaran and it's great to have some time to just let go.” As
reported in the news.
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26.6.10
