The Île-de-France region suspends its subsidy to the Ligue de l'enseignement after remarks "
contrary to the values of secularism and the Republic
" made by seven students supervised by this association, during an eloquence competition on secularism, the region told AFP on Thursday, June 23.
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"
Comments made by high school students during the competition are unacceptable, contrary to the values of secularism and the Republic
", told AFP the entourage of the president of the Ile-de-France region, Valérie Pécresse, confirming information from Charlie Hebdo.
“
Of the nine candidates in the semi-final, seven made these remarks and the seven were coached by the Education League.
The Teaching League grant is suspended, there will be an internal audit launched on the Teaching League
,” it added.
The annual subsidy for the eloquence competition amounts to 10,000 euros, according to the League of Education.
A “lack of supervision”
According to Charlie Hebdo, comments such as "
secularism is the coffin of women
" or "
secularism is a form of dictatorship
" were reported by these high school students.
The region criticizes the Ligue de l'enseignement - which brings together local associations offering educational, cultural, sporting and leisure activities and presents itself as a secular popular education movement - for a "
lack of supervision in the preparation of the contests and matter
”.
For Stéphane Alexandre, general delegate of the Paris federation of the Education League, contacted by AFP, these remarks "
are obviously questionable and denote a total misunderstanding of what secularism is
".
"
A high school student decides to express her convictions, which are certainly not ours, and it is precisely our job as educators to explain things to these young minors
," he added.
The semi-final took place in Paris in mid-May and the final is scheduled for July 2, at the Senate.
Launched by the region via a call for projects, this eloquence competition is implemented by the two associations selected, namely La Ligue de l'Éducation and Expressions de France.
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“
How is it that the candidates coached by Expressions de France did not make this kind of remark, and the seven coached by the Education League did?
“, we wonder in the entourage of Valérie Pécresse.
“
The competition on secularism should continue but not with the Education League, which has been failing in this partnership
”, we add.
The Paris branch of the Ligue de l'enseignement "
has proposed to the Regional Council to strengthen support for teachers who train and prepare students for this competition
", indicated the League, which reaffirms its "
unfailing commitment
" in "
training in secularism and the values of the Republic
”.