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Can a parent refuse to let their child attend school sports lessons because the class is mixed?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: No, the lesson is in the school programme. No. Sport is part of the programme, and the State sets this programme for everyone. The school guarantees equality between girls and boys. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “La laïcité à l'école (1/2)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “La laïcité à l'école (1/2)” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Yes, each parent chooses their child's lessonsOui, chaque parent choisit les cours de son enfantThe State sets the programme for everyone.
- ✗ Yes, if the parent writes a letter to the schoolOui, si le parent écrit une lettre à l'écoleA letter does not change the lesson programme.
- ✓ No, the lesson is in the school programmeNon, le cours est dans le programme de l'écoleCorrect answer. No. Sport is part of the programme, and the State sets this programme for everyone. The school guarantees equality between girls and boys.
- ✗ Yes, for religious reasonsOui, pour des raisons religieusesNobody can refuse a lesson in the programme for a religious reason.
What the source says
« Il n’est pas possible de refuser de suivre un cours prévu dans le programme (sports, sortie scolaire...) pour des motifs religieux. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Un parent peut-il refuser que son enfant aille au cours de sport de l'école parce que le cours est mixte ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR). The Ministry's wording: “En tant que parent, peut-on refuser que son enfant participe aux cours de sport à l'école car ils sont mixtes ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La laïcité à l'école (1/2)” (French).
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