FranceListe CSP, n° 36 · Principles and values of the Republic
Can a child refuse to go to school for a religious reason?
In the exam (French)
Un enfant peut-il refuser d’aller à l’école pour une raison religieuse ?
- aYes, if both their parents agree and inform the schoolOui, si ses deux parents sont d’accord et le signalent à l’école
- bNo, education is compulsory for all children from 3 to 16Non, l’instruction est obligatoire pour tous les enfants de 3 à 16 ansCorrect answer
- cYes, if they do not want to attend lessons against their religionOui, s’il ne veut pas suivre certains cours contraires à sa religion
- dYes, from the age of 12, if they ask for it themselvesOui, à partir de l’âge de 12 ans, s’il en fait lui-même la demande
Why?
In France, education is compulsory for all children, girls and boys, from 3 to 16 years old. A religious reason does not allow a child to leave school or to refuse a lesson such as sport or science. Parents who do not respect this obligation can be punished.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
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Does a person have the right not to believe in a religion?Correct answer:Yes, everyone is free to have no religion
Une personne a-t-elle le droit de ne pas croire en une religion ? — Oui, chacun est libre de n’avoir aucune religion
Mise en situation n° 1
Amina works at the reception desk of the town hall. She would like to wear a religious headscarf while she is working. Is this allowed?Correct answer:No, a public official must remain neutral while working.
Amina travaille à l'accueil de la mairie. Elle voudrait porter un foulard religieux pendant son travail. Est-ce autorisé ? — Non, un agent public doit rester neutre pendant son travail.
Mise en situation n° 2
Karim works at the town hall counter. A woman wearing a headscarf comes to ask for a form. Another member of the public tells Karim not to serve her. What should Karim do?Correct answer:Serve her normally: a member of the public can wear a religious symbol.
Karim travaille au guichet de la mairie. Une femme qui porte un foulard vient demander un formulaire. Un autre usager dit à Karim de ne pas la servir. Que doit faire Karim ? — La servir normalement : un usager peut porter un signe religieux.
Mise en situation n° 3
Sara is 14 and goes to a state collège. She wants to wear a large, very visible cross on her clothes. Is this allowed?Correct answer:No, conspicuous religious symbols are forbidden for pupils.
Sara a 14 ans et va dans un collège public. Elle veut porter une grande croix bien visible sur ses vêtements. Est-ce autorisé ? — Non, les signes religieux ostensibles sont interdits aux élèves.
Source
Knowledge questions: Ministry of the Interior (DIAN), official lists of knowledge questions CSP and CR, formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, Licence Ouverte 2.0, read on 21 October 2026; the official list for naturalisation, immigration.interieur.gouv.fr (DGEF), Licence Ouverte 2.0, read on 25 October 2026. The answer options, the explanations, the situations and the English translation are ours, written with AI; in the exam the questions are in French. This is not a ministry service.
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