School uniforms return to French town in pilot scheme to tackle inequality

Pupils at four schools in Béziers introduced uniform the government says could be rolled out nationwide if successful

They have not been compulsory in state schools in mainland France since 1968. But uniforms have made a return to one town as part of a government pilot scheme to establish if they can reduce inequality – and improve behaviour.

About 700 pupils at four schools in the southern town of Béziers became the first to introduce a uniform on Monday in a scheme that the government says could be rolled out nationwide if successful.