Jules Ferry laws facts for kids
The Jules Ferry Laws are a set of important French laws from the 1880s. They made education free for everyone in 1881. Then, in 1882, they made it mandatory (everyone had to go to school) and laic (meaning it was secular, with no religious teaching). Jules Ferry, a lawyer who was the Minister of Public Instruction, is famous for creating the modern French public school system. These laws changed schools from being run mostly by the church to being run by the state with non-religious teachers.
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History of French Schools
For a long time in France, there were two main types of schools. One was for older students (secondary school), and the other was for younger kids (primary school). The Catholic Church often ran schools, especially in poorer areas. For many families, these church schools were the only choice.
Even before Jules Ferry, people were working to make education better. For example, in 1698, a rule said that children aged 7–14 should go to local Catholic schools. But these schools often struggled to find money. Over time, the number of schools grew a lot. Between 1837 and 1906, the number of schools more than doubled in some places!
The idea of the government supporting schools became important during the French Revolution of 1789. Leaders like Talleyrand and Condorcet wanted a national system where everyone got a basic education. Later, Napoleon I focused more on higher education, creating the Imperial University. But the Catholic Church still played a big role in primary schools.
Laws like the Guizot Act (1833) made towns open schools for boys. The Falloux Act (1850) created a mixed system. Some schools were public and run by the state, while others were run by Catholic groups. Even though people wanted public schools for everyone, money problems and political arguments made it hard to make them happen.
Why These Laws Were Made
Jules Ferry and his political group, the Republicans, really wanted a secular republic. This meant they wanted the government and public life to be separate from the church. This idea, called anti-clericalism, was becoming very popular in France.
After the Industrial Revolution, many people worked in factories. The Republicans hoped that schooling would help workers become more reasonable and happy with their lives. They believed education could make society better.
Ferry also thought that schools should teach about politics and the good things about being French (nationalism). He wanted students to learn to think for themselves, not just follow what the church taught. After these laws, members of Catholic religious groups were not allowed to teach in public schools.
Laws of 1881: Free Education
On June 16, 1881, the first Jules Ferry Laws were passed. These laws made primary education completely free for all boys and girls. Local towns and regions were responsible for paying for these schools. The laws also made sure that teachers' salaries were protected and couldn't be lowered.
Laws of 1882: Mandatory and Secular Education
The laws passed in 1882 were even more important. They made primary education mandatory and secular.
What Students Would Learn
This article explained what subjects would be taught in the new free, mandatory, and secular school system:
- Moral and civic education (learning about good behavior and being a good citizen).
- Reading and writing.
- French language and literature.
- Geography, especially about France.
- History, especially French history up to the present.
- Basic lessons on law and how the economy works.
- Science and math, and how they are used in farming, health, industry, and crafts.
- Drawing, modeling, and music.
- Gymnastics.
- For boys, military exercises.
- For girls, needlework.
Religious Education Rules
Public primary schools had one day off each week, besides Sunday. This allowed parents to give their children religious education outside of school if they wanted to. In private schools, religious education was optional.
Who Must Go to School
Primary education became mandatory for all children, both boys and girls, between the ages of six and thirteen. Children could go to public schools, private schools, or be taught at home by their parents or someone chosen by their parents. There were also plans to help deaf, mute, and blind children get an education.
School Attendance and Absences
Parents or guardians had to tell the mayor if their child would be schooled at home or in a public or private school. If a child missed school, parents had to tell the school director why. Schools kept attendance records and reported absences to the mayor.
Only certain reasons were accepted for missing school, like:
- The child being sick.
- A death in the family.
- Problems getting to school because of bad weather or accidents.
If a child missed too much school without a good reason, parents would be called to a meeting. If absences continued, the parents' names could be publicly posted at the town hall. In serious cases, legal action could be taken against the parents.
Exemptions from School
School boards could allow children to miss school for up to three months a year for good reasons, like helping their families. This was especially true for children working in farming or industry.
Exams for Home-Schooled Children
Children who were taught at home had to take an exam each year. This exam checked if they were learning the same things as children in public schools. If a child's exam results were not good, their parents would have to send them to a public or private school.
School Funding
The laws also set up a "school fund" in every town to help pay for education. The government would provide grants to help towns with smaller funds.
See also
- French School Wars
- First Schools' War, an attempt to introduce secularist education in Belgium in 1879
- First Textbook War, an attempt to introduce secularist education in France in 1882
- Education in France
- History of education in France
- Kulturkampf
Related articles
- Normal schools in France
