Called into the government by Raymond Barre, prime minister at the time, he was Minister of Social Affairs from 1976 to 1978. Following the French general election of 1978, he accepted the national education portfolio (1978–1981). He opened schools to the world of business and in 1979 reorganised the training of teachers. Spread over three years, this training had to be organised jointly by schools and the universities and sanctioned by a university diploma (the diplôme universitaire de 1er cycle). He also established the Projets d’Action Culturelles, Techniques et Éducatives (PACTE - Cultural, Technical and Educational Action Projects) which were the first steps towards the autonomy of educational establishments. The PACTEs later became Projet d’Action Éducative (PAE - Educational Action Projects). Beullac also created the CNPRU (Comité national de réflexion sur la professionalisation de l'université) aimed at professionalising universities.
