I have a 9 year old daughter at primary school here in France and would like to answer your question about religion in schools. Religious education is not given by French state primary or secondary schools and here’s why:
History. France has been a Secular State since 1905. The French call it 'laïcité' which means the strict separation of state from church. This has a long history in France despite the fact that most French people are Catholics. Since the French Revolution in 1789 the aim was to curb the power and influence of the Catholic Church and this began a gradual move towards a secular society.
School. The French State school system has been secular since the Jules Ferry Education Act of 1882. The respect for different beliefs of pupils and their parents means the absence of religious teaching in the syllabus and the banning of proselytism (converting people). The principle of religious freedom led to the introduction of one day off every week to allow for religious teaching outside school. This is currently a Wednesday although secondary schools have cut this down to Wednesday afternoon and a recent policy proposes that primary schools copy this timetable. Most Catholic children go to ‘catechisme’ lessons on a Wednesday (similar to Sunday school).
Marriage. The French state officially regards religion as a private affair. As well as politics and education, ‘laïcité’ has an impact on getting married in France too. Whilst church weddings are still popular, to be legally married in France the ceremony must be held in front of the mayor at the Mairie, thus the church ceremony has become an optional personal choice.
I hope readers find the above interesting, I personally think that secularism in schools is a good thing. My only disappointment is that Christmas isn’t celebrated or discussed within schools. At my C of E primary school, I really enjoyed making angel decorations etc. and loved the nativity plays. We also enjoyed singing hymns several mornings a week. I guess this is why schools here don’t have pianos and hearing French children singing in tune is quite a rare thing!
Leila McLelland
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