Frédéric Michel (in Nice) / Photo credits: JACQUES DEMARTHON / AFP
In Nice, two CE2 students started praying in the middle of the schoolyard. Facts which were quickly reported to the rectorate and the Nice municipality. “We will not let anything pass,” jointly declared the mayor, the regional president and the rector of the academy.
In this ordinary neighborhood of the city of Nice, two CE2 students, aged eight, from the Saint-Sylvestre school group were surprised in the middle of prayer in the middle of the schoolyard on Monday during the lunch break.
Members of the teaching staff and municipal agents quickly relayed the information to the rectorate and town hall. It was then explained to the children that school is not the appropriate place to pray. The parents, who were also warned, said they were surprised, saying “they did not raise their child like that”. They will be received by the authorities during the day.
“It’s not the first time this has happened.”
This Tuesday morning, the other parents met by the Europe 1 correspondent did not seem informed of the facts. “It’s not the first time that this has happened, so well, everyone has the right to have their religion but hey, it’s true that public school is secular. I understand perfectly, everyone is free to do what he wants, but hey, with respect for others. For me, somewhere, it bothers me”, reacts this father who came to drop off his children when learning the facts on the microphone of Europe 1.
Students incur no sanctions
The two students, who are only eight years old, incur no sanction since they do not have the conscience of middle or high school students.
This case is reminiscent of another: last June, in three establishments in the city of Nice, several CM1 and CM2 students organized prayers. This Saint-Sylvestre school group was already concerned but the information took several weeks to reach the rectorate.