France’s first “secularism charter” for schools is to be revealed by the country’s Education Minister Vincent Peillon on Monday.
Although the precise details of the charter’s content are not yet known, it is expected to remind pupils of the strict secularist principles of France’s education system and make clear that they are not allowed to miss certain classes for religious reasons.
All public schools in France will be required to display the document from Monday onwards.
Peillon said the charter would help to instill the “values of the Republic” in the country’s young people, in an interview with French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche on Sunday.
“The first article of our constitution states that the Republic is indivisible, democratic, social and secular,” he said.
Val says We watched on TV this morning children arriving at schools and being given the charter to read. I find this an interesting concept and wonder will it work.. I think instilling values of the Republic is good but can you take it too far? Wearing a St. Christopher necklace under your blouse does not seem a big deal to me but I suppose if you ban burkas why not the religious symbol a cross?
A long time since I was at school but I do remember certain religious groups or atheists could miss RE if they wanted to. Are schools allowed to teach religion now what religious classes do pupils now have to attend? How about some feed back on this one readers?
Comments to taglines82@gmail.com
