“French Public Schools and Conspicuous Religious Symbols: New Survey Reveals Majority Opposition”

While respect for secularism in schools is becoming an increasingly tense subject, Ifop questioned the French for Paris Première on their adherence to the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols by students in public colleges and high schools.

More than three-quarters of French people (77%) remain opposed to the wearing of conspicuous religious signs (cross, veil, yarmulke, etc.) by college and high school students in the public. Half of the population (47%) even declares itself “very opposed”. The minority adhering to the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols at school has fallen slightly since 2020, now reaching 23% of French people (-2 points).

A clear generational divide emerges on this theme: while seniors are among the fiercest opponents of wearing such signs in public schools (86% are against), 18-24 year olds are truly divided (54% of opponents ). To a lesser extent, the degree of religious belief influences the perception of the subject: 80% of convinced atheists are opposed to the wearing of conspicuous religious signs by college and high school students in the public compared to “only” 63% of French people who define themselves as believers and religious