The draft program must be “deeply reviewed,” according to Catholic teaching.

Catholic education requested, on Friday, November 27, that the proposed education program for emotional, relational and sexual life, which is supposed to be made official soon, but which arouses strong criticism in conservative circles, be “deeply reworked”.

“We share the ambitions of the approach, particularly regarding respect for the body, privacy, essential consent education and promoting equality between girls and boys. However, reading the document leads us to formulate serious reservations”The General Secretariat of Catholic Education, which educates about 20% of first and second level students, and the APEL (Association of Parents of Free Education) announced in a joint press release.

“This program proposal aims to replace the educational responsibility of parents. “We cannot accept it.”underlines the press release. Besides, “The rigidity of an annualized program” does not allow “not adapting to the maturation and uniqueness of each student”and it is necessary “great caution regarding content that must remain immune to any ideological influence”duck.

“Gender theory does not exist”, for Anne Genetet

The day before, the Minister of Education, Anne Genetet, had defended the relevance of the future sexual education program in the face of a conservative revolt, transmitted to the executive, which makes unions and associations fear a step behind the government.

“Gender theory does not exist, nor does it exist in the program”underline M^my Genetet during a trip to Marcq-en-Barœul (North), in the presence of its Minister of Academic Success (LR), Alexandre Portier, in favor of a review of this program.

This program in preparation “it is very clear”, “progressive”, “suitable for all ages” AND “It allows you to learn fundamental notions such as respect, consent, knowing how to say no, what a girl is, what a boy is”the minister continued, specifying that she “pilot[ait] » the editorial staff.

Alexandre Portier estimated on Wednesday before the Senate that the proposed sexual education program was not “not acceptable”. He assured that he “I would personally commit to ensuring that “gender theory” does not find its place in our schools.”. “Gender theory” is an expression used by a conservative segment of society that is concerned that studies and teachings open a nuanced perception of the differences between the sexes.

Alexandre Portier said he would not “retract a single word”

In 2014, the controversy over a supposed “gender theory” taught in French schools, which would deny sexual differences, became virulent, during the experimentation of the “ABCD of equality” in school to fight against stereotypes between girls and boys. children. It was supported by movements close to those opposed to gay marriage and, sometimes, by the extreme right.

Questioned alongside the minister during this joint trip on educational guidance, Alexandre Portier stated that he did not “remove a single word” of his previous statements.

Initially planned for the start of the 2024 school year, the first education program for emotional, relational and sexual life (Evars), currently being drafted, has been the subject of consultations since March. It must be presented in mid-December to the Council of Higher Education (CSE), an advisory body, with a view to its publication for the next school year.

Since 2001, the law has made sex education mandatory in schools, middle schools and high schools, with at least three sessions per year. But, in fact, this provision is little respected. As its presentation approaches, conservative organizations are mobilizing, such as the Union of Families (formerly La Manif pour tous) evoking “a pro-gender and transactivist brainwashing”.

Ciivise denounces “false information”

Following Alexandre Portier’s statements, several organizations on Thursday denounced this offensive against the text, insisting on their role. ” essential “ in the fight against sexual violence. The Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (Ciivise) denounced the “false information” opponents of this program while “160,000 children are victims of incest and sexual violence every year”.

The collective For a real sexual education, which includes in its ranks, in particular, Family Planning and Sidaction, denounced “the use of rhetoric” addressed to “prevent the completion of this essential project”. Among the teaching unions, the SE-UNSA also highlighted the “Need for clarity and ministerial courage”. SUD-Education and CGT-Educ’action ask the minister to “don’t go back”.

Sophie Vénétitay, general secretary of SNES-FSU, the first middle and high school union, described ” Welcome “ the minister’s statement on Thursday “to clarify the position of the ministry”. For the unionist, “It is absolutely necessary to consolidate the existence of this program”in particular “In the context of the Mazan trial, where we see that there are still a good number of defendants who did not know what consent is”.