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Secularism (laïcité) at school (1/2)

Written by the Hexaciv editorial team · Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026 · Our method

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Key points of the sheet

1. Secularism (laïcité) guarantees freedom of conscience: you are free to believe or not to believe. You can express your convictions, while respecting others and public order.
2. The rules of a public school are in the internal rules (règlement intérieur). It is forbidden to wear a sign or clothing that shows your religion conspicuously (de manière ostensible).
3. In public schools, teachers must not show their political or religious convictions. Pupils can talk about religion among themselves, respecting others. Proselytism is forbidden.
4. There are no religion classes in public schools. In private schools under contract, religion classes can be offered, but they are not compulsory.
5. The State sets the school curriculum. You cannot refuse a class in the curriculum, for example sport or a school trip, for religious reasons.
6. The charter of secularism at school reminds us that school shares the values of the Republic with pupils. The Republic separates religions and the State: there is no State religion.
7. At school, secularism protects pupils from all proselytism and from any pressure that would prevent them from making their own choices. It also guarantees equality between girls and boys.
8. School staff have a duty of strict neutrality and pass on the value of secularism. Pupils also contribute to keeping secularism alive in their school.

Words to know

neutrality (neutralité)

Public schools are neutral towards religions, so that each pupil can think freely.

freedom of conscience (liberté de conscience)

Secularism guarantees it to everyone: each person is free to believe or not to believe.

internal rules (règlement intérieur)

It sets out the rules of life in a public school, and these rules respect secularism.

conspicuous (ostensible)

It means "in a way that is seen"; a conspicuous religious sign is forbidden in public schools.

proselytism (prosélytisme)

It is forbidden in public schools, and secularism protects pupils from all proselytism.

private schools under contract with the State (écoles privées sous contrat avec l'État)

Teaching there is the same as in public schools, and religion classes that are not compulsory can be offered.

Charter of secularism at school (Charte de la laïcité à l'école)

School staff have the task of making it known to pupils' parents.

Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet

• Can a parent refuse to let their child attend school sports lessons because the class is mixed?
• In a public school, who can wear very visible religious signs?
• Do all French citizens have a religion?

More in this topic (Secularism (laïcité))

• Secularism (laïcité) at school (2/2)
• Secularism (laïcité) at work
• Secularism (laïcité) in public space