in France i think the system is of an overall good quality, at least, in mathematics (and sciences in general) in university... and access to quality education is very easy for the mass.(a contrario of US/British system i think.. where quality is very expensive)
but nowadays, sadly, there is a great degradation of the public school sytem mainly due to economics factors and government orientation
pff in fact that made me renounce to my teacher carreer (i did it 2 years) in the system, i'm now more more free as a freelancer coach.
but it's a paradox for me, for i strongly believe in public education... it's just that i can't do my best in the current state of the system... sad.