France: attacks on secularism on the rise in schools, colleges and high schools
The number of attacks on secularism has increased since the start of the school year.
Here, a student in a high school in Carquefou, in October 2020 (Illustration image).
AFP - SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The Ministry of Education has identified 313 reports since the start of the school year for attacks on secularism in schools, colleges and high schools, with an increase in the share of incidents related to the wearing of religious outfits.
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Three hundred and thirteen reports were recorded in September and 904 in the second quarter of 2022. This is an increase compared to the average for the first quarter of 2022, when 627 incidents had been recorded in total, as confirmed by the Minister of National Education , Pap Ndiaye.
For the month of September alone, 54% of the incidents observed concern the wearing of religious symbols and clothing.
These include the abayas, this female garment that covers the entire body except the head, feet and hands, and the quamis, a male long garment.
Worn by some students, they have been banned by law since 2004.
Promise of Transparency
When talking about attacks on secularism, the list is long.
This concerns both a suspicion of proselytism, a refusal of school activity, a teaching challenge, community demands, verbal provocations, or even a refusal of republican values.
“
The 2004 law is very clear.
It prohibits the wearing of ostentatious clothing and religious symbols in school premises.
This law must be respected.
I will be firm and intransigent on this
, ”said Pap Ndiaye on Tuesday.
The wearing of religious outfits has been reported in “
certain academies
” and a “
unified response
” must “
be provided
”, indicated the ministry in mid-September in a note to rectors.
On these sensitive subjects, the Minister of National Education has promised transparency.
It has set up a “ French Republic values
” lead inspector
, who can thus come to the aid of the head of the establishment in order to manage these incidents.
► To read also: France: attacks on the principle of secularism more frequent in college
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