313 attacks on secularism from kindergarten to high school were reported in September 2022, including 54% involving “wearing signs and gear”. This is a key lesson learned from a recent inventory of feedback from school principals, principals, principals, academic inspectors or even National Education staff through a reporting platform.
On Friday, September 30, Minister of National Education and Youth Pap Ndiaye recognized A “Growth of Reports” quoting AFP “especially” increase in reports “Wearing clothes, popular abayas that seem to be on the rise”. The announcements were repeated the following Tuesday on France 2. And it was confirmed in the press release of the Ministry of National Education on October 13.
Until then, Pope Ndiaye was very cautious in the face of alarms from several actors, including the Paris Academy or the National Committee for Secular Action (Cnal). A letter from the Interdepartmental Committee for the Prevention of Crime and Radicalization (Cipdr) in late August and a letter from the ministry to rectors in mid-September confirmed the existence of a real problem.
Most high school reports
Papa Ndiaye has promised that these figures will now be published monthly. The latest report is from last spring. between 1eh Between December 2021 and March 31, 2022, there were 627 reports, including 22% in schools, 50% in colleges and 28% in high schools. The vast majority of these reports concerned students (82%), but parents of students (7%) and staff (6%) were also concerned.
Almost a quarter (22%) of these responses were about wearing badges and gear. This point has already increased by 7 points compared to the previous report. This was followed by verbal provocations (16%), suspicions of conversion (13%), teaching disputes (10%), refusal of school activities (8%), community demands (5%) or demonstrations that reject values. Republic (4%).
It is difficult to compare these spring numbers, the quarter, and October 13, which refers to only one month. However, it is interesting to note that the majority of assaults are now reported in high schools (51%), compared to 36% in colleges and 13% in first grade. And that wearing badges and gear accounted for more than half (54%) of reports, compared to 8% for suspicions of proselytizing and 7% for denial of school activities, teaching disputes, and community demands.
Source: Le Figaro
