Published on 01/12/2024 10:46
Reading time: 2min – video: 1min
Sex education at school: the reservations of the Minister for Academic Success
Alexandre Portier on franceinfo
(FRANCEINFO)
Alexandre Portier had already judged, on Wednesday, that the text was “not acceptable” as it stood, before being reframed by his supervisory minister for National Education, Anne Genetet.
He reiterates his “reserves”. The Minister Delegate for Academic Success, Alexandre Portier, called, Sunday December 1, on franceinfo, to be “plus accurate” et “more rigorous” in the future education program for emotional, relational and sexual life which is due to come into force next year. “Yes, we need a sexuality education program”more “school is not a place of ideology and activism has no place at school”he said, four days after joining the criticism launched by conservative circles.
“Between the initial versions from the higher program council and the latest discussions, there was an inflation of the word gender, which is problematic”he said, in response to a question on the reframing of his remarks by the Minister of National Education, Anne Genetet. “People consider that biological sex does not matter and that gender is something that can be constructed, deconstructed, and is a social construction”said the delegate minister, member of the Republicans. “I do not share this philosophical position, like millions of French people.”
Faced with this conservative revolt, the Minister of Education defended, Thursday, the relevance of the future program. The text in preparation “is very clear”, “progressive”, “suitable for all ages”she estimated. On Sunday, three former ministers involved in drafting the program called on the executive not to “not give in to pressure”. “The program we have built is not ideological: it is pragmatic and concrete”wrote Nicole Belloubet (National Education), Aurore Bergé (Equality between Women and Men) and Frédéric Valletoux (Health), in a text published by La Tribune Sunday.
