Schoolchildren in France will begin their education at age three instead of age six, the age at which most European countries send their kids to school.  It's part of President Emmanuel Macron's plan to shake up the education system.

The overwhelming majority of France's children already begin school at that age.  The change would impact the families of the 2.4 percent of those who are not enrolled - mainly, the poorest families in the mainland and overseas territories.

"I hope that with this obligation, from the start of the school year in 2019, we can correct this unacceptable differential," said President Macron.  "I want to pursue the work of equality and progress in our educational history," he added, "Compensating for education inequality from birth is within our grasp."

A recent study found that attendance to an early education or pre-school structure, for at least one year if not two, provided a strong foundation to support students through school later on.