According to a report by the Walloon Council for policy on Science (Conseil Wallon de la politique scientific, CPS), described in the Echo, 45% of pupils in their 2nd year and a third of those in their third year chose science in Secondary school. However, only 19% continued with it into higher education, meaning science lectures are almost empty. This may be due to a highly theoretical approach to the subjects, and students being unfamiliar with scientific careers. The study, finished in December 2013, deals with the 2009-2010 school and academic year. Only 19% of French-speaking students are studying a scientific and technical subject, 31% of men and 9% of women.
According to the CPS, several elements explain this hiatus between Secondary and Higher education. There is the fact that teaching science subjects is based on a very theoretical approach, when it should be based on investigation.
The Council also notes that young people have an incorrect image of the careers available after scientific and technical studies.
t (Source: Belga
