Secularism in Education
A secular culture is
prominent in the country of France, which in turn greatly affects the schooling
experience of the students. France has introduced a secular charter in schools.
This culture is designed to provide more equality between students in the
classrooms. This culture is banning religion from schools which is causing
tension amongst students of different religious backgrounds, especially those
with under an Islamic faith. The secular culture in France is aimed to provide
conditions for pupils to “forge their own personality, exercise free will and
become citizens free from pressure of proselytising”. Socialist government's education minister, Vincent Peillon
states that the secular charter will “it represents an attempt to promote
better understanding, and more consistent enforcement, of long-established
principles”
The secular culture has been
integrated into the education system with a “secular code of conduct”. Every
student has freedom of opinion but that nobody can use personal beliefs to
oppose a class or miss a lesson. This culture is highly contrasted to
Australia, where multiculturalism and acceptance of different cultures is
prevalent. Australian schools have been labelled as micropublics, a place where
students of diverse cultural backgrounds come together to learn. They are
enabled to “transcend cultural boundaries”. Australian schools enforce “the
need for nurture an appreciation of and respect for social cultural and
religious diversity and a sense of global citizenship”. (Melbourne Declaration
on Educational goals for Young Australians, 2008). Public education in
Australia has aspired to be a force for social cohesion, for building mutual
understanding between people of different ethnic, religious, vocational and
socio-economic backgrounds”, which has enabled the “peaceful co-existence of
different groups”. (Professor Tony Vinson, 2002)
The secular culture in
France has caused a lot of controversy which has also greatly affect students
of various religions. Students are excluded in schools for wearing religious
symbols and clothing. There have been many cases where Sikh boys who cover
their hair have dropped out of school due to the school not accepting their
religious garments.
Earlier this year a Muslim girl was excluded from her
school after a headband and long skirt were deemed to constitute overtly
religious garb.
I
understand that France is trying to have a more homogenous society, but I feel
that enforcing secularism upon its citizens is not a suitable path to take. I
feel that it is a notion that should be encouraged instead of enforced.
Enforcing such rules upon the various religious communities has caused much
anger and strife. It has had many negative impacts upon the population and the
students. Having a more homogenous group will minimise cultural disadvantage in
education but impacts negatively on the student when they feel rejected from
the group especially if they feel that they are being targeted.
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