Alertez les bébés

For years now, 'equal opportunities in education' has been the hobbyhorse of the French government. The purpose of the resulting policy is that all children are sent to identical schools. The fact that this sometimes has just the adverse effect should not come as a surprise. The fact is that in the education of children several influences play a role. What is more, the creation of equal opportunities often implies the need for differentiation in education. In the late seventies Jean-Michel Carr‚ gathered a team of teachers, educators and researchers to reflect upon these and other matters. Alertez les b‚b‚s! is the result of this investigation. Fictional scenes alternate with interview situations. The accent lies on the permanent influence of parents and teachers on the children's behaviour. Children do their best to live up to the standards and values imposed by educators. This film points out that this restricts their freedom and interferes with the development of their self-expression. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)