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THE GREAT FRENCH DEBATE ABOUT SECULARITY IN SCHOOLS
by Laura M (Jan 5, 2004) |
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Are you for or against religious signs at school ? The issue of secularity has reappeared in January, with the demand to review the law of separation between the Church and the State. Some incidents in high schools have imposed the headscarf as the controversial topic of the year. Little by little the idea of a legislation about secularity, religious signs in particular and more precisely the islamic headscarf, has gained a large part of the French political world. The topic has created procrastination, reversals and recantations within the government and among the elected representatives of the majority and the opposition. THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF 1989 : the first known case. Samira, Leïla and Fatimah, pupils in 4ème(grade 8), come with a headscarf on to Gustave Havez school in Creil (Oise). They are expelled by the headmaster. Lionel Jospin, the Minister of Education at that time, refuses to settle the problem and asks the " Conseil d’Etat " what they think, which leaves school directors free to take action as each case occurs. In 1989 the Conseil d’Etat declares:" Pupils wearing signs indicating their religious belonging isn’t incompatible with the secularity principle. " The jurisprudence of the Conseil d’Etat hasn’t changed since 1989. Pupils are allowed to indicate their religious believes, but the wearing of signs (headscarf, cross or kippa) must not be accompanied with proselytism or provocation.
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In 1994, ostentatious signs are classified as proselytism elements. Then in 1999 the Conseil d’Etat allows the educational staff to require "clothing compatible with the good progress of class, particularly in gymnastics and technology classes." Now the law is challenged again. Some support President Jacques Chirac, who suggested voting a law forbidding all religious "conspicuous" signs in public schools, and which could come into force as soon as the next school year starts. He also said : "We have to reaffirm secularity at school because school has to be absolutely preserved". Others consider that it will be against freedom and democracy. The Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, whose country forces women to cover up in public, has even urged his French counterpart to reconsider his position. The announcement of the French President provoked the protests of several thousand people, mainly Muslim, in France and in other countries. The French Catholic Church came down against a law forbidding the wearing of headscarf at school, describing it as a "decline and restriction of religious freedom". So what should we do ? Allow or forbid wearing religious signs at school ? It’s up to us to decide…
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If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor. I agree with the French President. After all, the governments are there to set up laws and make sure that the people follow them. It is his job to keep the church and state stay separated. It is also important to consider that there are many religions out there and also, there are many people that do not even believe in God or follow any religion at all. The school is an institution that is responsible for educating the people. It is not a place where people can debate over the religion that they believe is "the right one". If a person is very religious that they can't stand not wearing their religious symbols, there are religious schools that they can attend. So, there is a reason for the existence of religious institutions!!! If everyone were to show their religious pride in public schools there would be a lot of conflicts among people. Wearing a certain symbol on, does not make the person any more religious than they are without it. Ayten (Novato, California, USA) As I write my opinion and what I feel at this very
moment, I really think President Jacques Chirac is doing a very harsh
act and thing. This is a cause of racism and I think it shouldn't happen.
I am Canadian and I am very thankful to be living in Canada, and if I
was told to not be allowed to wear my headscarf in school, then this
reaction would be very wrong. I would believe that I can’t be a
Canadian at the same time as being a Muslim. I can’t believe such a
thing can happen. This has gone too far, and if I was in France at this
moment, I would have a great thing to say about this.I can really see
that French Muslim women do really feel humiliated right now.This has
gone way too far and it should stop. I am a muslim girl and I would be
very hurt if I was told that I can’t have the opportunity to learn if
I wear a religious symbol on my head. Zeinab (Canada) Sept 20, 2004
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