The awfulness of teacher training in France is widely recognized.
The Teacher Training Institutes (IUFM) have been condemned by left, right and center for pedagogical incompetence and ideological brain-washing.
However unions persist in opposing any change. Next strike action: Tuesday December 15th.
To get the flavor of the call to protest, see the below articles.
http://newspress.fr/Communique_FR_223069_2605.aspx
http://www.sauvonslarecherche.fr/spip.php?article3001