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Secularism (laïcité) at school (2/2)
At school, you cannot refuse a rule or a course because of your religion. The rules of secularism (laïcité) at school are listed in the charter of secularism at school.
Key points of the sheet
- The charter is addressed to teachers, pupils and pupils' parents.
- Secularism (laïcité) is not a constraint that limits people's freedom. It is not against certain people or certain religions. It lets each person be free to think, to live, to believe or not to believe.
- Secularism (laïcité) guarantees equal treatment of all pupils in schools.
- School has an important role in helping people understand secularism (laïcité), especially pupils. Secularism is an essential condition for pupils to respect each other, in a spirit of fraternity.
- France is a secular Republic. The State is neutral towards religious or spiritual beliefs. There is no State religion.
- Secularism (laïcité) guarantees freedom of conscience to all. Everyone can express their beliefs, respecting those of others and public order.
- The secularism of School protects pupils from all proselytism and from pressure that would stop them making their own choices. It gives them access to a common and shared culture.
- School staff have a duty of strict neutrality. In public schools, religious signs or clothing that pupils wear to show their religion openly are forbidden.
Words to know
- charter of secularism at school (charte de la laïcité à l’école)
- This document lists the rules of secularism at school. It is addressed to teachers, pupils and parents.
- freedom of conscience (liberté de conscience)
- Secularism guarantees it to all: everyone is free to believe or not to believe.
- proselytism (prosélytisme)
- The secularism of School protects pupils from all proselytism.
- strict neutrality (stricte neutralité)
- It is a duty of staff: they do not show their political or religious beliefs in their work.
- school rules (règlement intérieur)
- It sets out the rules of life in public schools. These rules respect secularism.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What duty do school staff have?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel devoir ont les personnels de l’école ?
Staff have a duty of strict neutrality. They do not show their political or religious beliefs.
In public school, pupils' conspicuous religious signs are:
In French, the language of the exam: À l’école publique, les signes religieux ostensibles des élèves sont :
In public schools, wearing signs by which pupils openly show a religion is forbidden.
Is there a State religion in France?
In French, the language of the exam: Y a-t-il une religion d’État en France ?
The secular Republic separates religions and the State. There is no State religion.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- What is the secularism charter (charte de la laïcité) at school for?
- Why must laïcité be respected at school?
- What does the principle of laïcité allow?
More in this topic (Secularism (laïcité))
- Secularism (laïcité) at work
- Secularism (laïcité) in public space
- Secularism (laïcité) in public services
Source
Sheet “La laïcité à l'école (2/2)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.