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| Schools in France to display flags in classrooms | Schools in France to display flags in classrooms |
| (2 days later) | |
| Schools in France are now required to display the French and EU flags in classrooms alongside the words to the national anthem. | Schools in France are now required to display the French and EU flags in classrooms alongside the words to the national anthem. |
| The move - effective from the start of the school year on Monday - was approved as part of educational reforms passed by parliament in February. | The move - effective from the start of the school year on Monday - was approved as part of educational reforms passed by parliament in February. |
| It was suggested by a centre-right opposition MP but endorsed by President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government. | It was suggested by a centre-right opposition MP but endorsed by President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government. |
| The new rule has been controversial. Critics say it is overly nationalistic. | The new rule has been controversial. Critics say it is overly nationalistic. |
| All classrooms in primary and secondary schools must now display the national flag, words to the Marseillaise, and the national motto - "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité". | All classrooms in primary and secondary schools must now display the national flag, words to the Marseillaise, and the national motto - "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité". |
| What is the new education law? | What is the new education law? |
| The main changes include compulsory education from the age of three, instead of six as had been the case in France since the 19th Century. | The main changes include compulsory education from the age of three, instead of six as had been the case in France since the 19th Century. |
| Parent who do not conform with the rules could be fined €1,500 (£1,362). It only affects a small number of families as 97% of children aged between three and six are in education already. | Parent who do not conform with the rules could be fined €1,500 (£1,362). It only affects a small number of families as 97% of children aged between three and six are in education already. |
| The law also includes changes to the school-leavers exam, giving more weight to coursework and more opportunity for pupils to specialise. | The law also includes changes to the school-leavers exam, giving more weight to coursework and more opportunity for pupils to specialise. |
| Why is the flag-and-anthem rule being introduced? | Why is the flag-and-anthem rule being introduced? |
| It was initially suggested as an amendment by Éric Ciotti, an MP from the centre-right opposition party Les Républicains. | It was initially suggested as an amendment by Éric Ciotti, an MP from the centre-right opposition party Les Républicains. |
| After much debate, the government agreed to the amendment, but insisted the EU flag must be displayed too. | |
| The law was passed by France's parliament in February. | The law was passed by France's parliament in February. |
| Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told Le Parisien newspaper at the time: "Civic spirit must be strengthened. Everywhere in the world, knowing the symbols of your country is the most natural thing in the world." | Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told Le Parisien newspaper at the time: "Civic spirit must be strengthened. Everywhere in the world, knowing the symbols of your country is the most natural thing in the world." |
| Under the old law, schools were only required to have a French flag. | Under the old law, schools were only required to have a French flag. |
| What has the response been? | What has the response been? |
| When the amendment was passed, Michel Larive, from left-wing party La France Insoumise, strongly criticised the move. He said having the national flag outside schools was already enough to show "respect for the homeland without veering towards nationalism". | When the amendment was passed, Michel Larive, from left-wing party La France Insoumise, strongly criticised the move. He said having the national flag outside schools was already enough to show "respect for the homeland without veering towards nationalism". |
| Mr Ciotti said the reforms were "an important step forward" and would "teach pupils to love France from an early age". | Mr Ciotti said the reforms were "an important step forward" and would "teach pupils to love France from an early age". |
| Many teachers said the inclusion of the flags was not practical. One primary school teacher described the measure as "empty words". | Many teachers said the inclusion of the flags was not practical. One primary school teacher described the measure as "empty words". |