The French government has unveiled new measures to promote both secular values and religious tolerance in its schools. Children will now be taught about the separation of church and state, the differences and similarities between the major religions, and asked to sign a charter banning racist and sexist behaviour, and disrespect “for any religion (sic) or symbol of democracy”. They will also learn about objective news gathering, propaganda and conspiracy theorising. The plan was formulated partly in response to complaints from dozens of schools that some Muslim pupils had refused to observe a nationwide minute’s silence for the victims of the Paris attacks.
This sounds open-minded and over-due. But what it will inevitably come down to is a discussion of Catholicism and Mohammedanism, with barely a mention of other important beliefs and philosophies of life, not to mention non-beliefs, that children should be exposed to. Lack of time will be given as the reason. What the French government should be doing is stressing the need for children to think for themselves – and that means giving them a choice. French education is not famous for encouraging children to think for themselves. In this case they may learn only the “what” and not the “why”.
“They will also learn about objective news gathering, propaganda and conspiracy theorising”. That I would like to see! One man’s thoughtful analysis is another’s propaganda. Children will be exposed to the political views of the teachers. Which makes it all the more important that they are taught to think for themselves.
During my schooldays we had weekly open discussions of current affairs, which ranged over every topic under the sun. The teacher suggested the subject and the boys debated it, no holds barred. The teacher only intervened if appealed to. There was no propaganda from him. We made up our own minds, infuenced, I suppose, by our home upbringing and the outlook of our parents. It taught me to be suspicious of the establishment point of view and to look out for hidden agendas.
“French education is not famous for encouraging children to think for themselves”.
I don’t agree with this statement. As far as I know all students still have to study philosophy as part of the Baccalaureate. Admittedly this is restricted to academic children who go to a Lycée.
In the UK, the government is trying to exclude philosophy from GCSE Religious Studies, which is an excellent course with a lot of opportunities for discussion.
You are much more of an expert than I am on French education, and maybe I am out of date. I am reflecting an impression I gained years ago. I’m glad they still study philosophy, but what I was getting at is the sort of free-wheeling debate I personally enjoyed so much when I was young. I think I got more out of debates with my own cohort than from the teachers – they set the stage and we argued!
As for current British government policy, they say that London schools have been transformed and are doing very well ( Prospect magazine),
but, correct me if i’m wrong , the emphasis generally is knowledge, not so much how to use it. I hope Owen, a follower of this blog, and younger than us, will comment. I am very interested in this, so please comment again.