French Assembl茅e votes to put flags in every classroom
The French Assembl茅e Nationale has voted in favour of the mandatory flying of French and European flags in every educational class, from maternelle (Reception) level up to lyc茅e (high school).
Should it be adopted into law, the bill mandatory for all students to know the words of the national anthem (La Marseillaise), as part of the government鈥檚 project dubbed 鈥渃onfidence at school鈥�.
MPs voted for the amendment proposal, presented by Eric Ciotti MP, which will concern 鈥渆ach of the classrooms across establishments, public and private under contract鈥�.
Minister for National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, who is in favour of the move, : 鈥淸The measure] will be applied in a very simple way [with] all costs covered by the ministry.鈥�
Mr Ciotti had initially suggested that classrooms install the French flag only, but later accepted the European flag too, called the move 鈥渁n important step forward鈥�.
Yet, some left-leaning MPs criticised the vote, and said they had not been able to express their views on the issue enough, as the debate had been left 鈥渢oo late鈥�.
Socialist MP George Pau-Langevin denounced the measure, saying it could be seen as 鈥渄efiance鈥� towards teachers that are in charge of their classes.
Michel Larive MP (from La France Insoumise party) that it was 鈥渆nough鈥� to have flags on the front of educational establishments, which showed 鈥渞espect for the country without drifting towards nationalism鈥�.
He added: 鈥淪chools are not [army] barracks.鈥�
In the wake of the debate, Bruno Studer (La R茅publique en Marche party), President for Cultural Affairs and Education, has demanded a second discussion on the amendment.
This is set to happen at the end of the week, after the proposal鈥檚 text has been fully examined.
