At the beginning of the year, Members of Parliament adopted the amendment proposed by Jérôme Rivière, Deputy of the first constituency of Nice, which mandates the teaching of the national anthem in primary schools.
This amendment is part of the will of the educational reform bill to reaffirm the school’s crucial role in transmitting the values of the Republic.
Furthermore, teaching “La Marseillaise” in schools addresses the challenge of assimilating populations from outside coming into the national territory. This time, it is about sharing the values of our country with those who want to settle here.
This amendment was submitted as part of the debate on the Future of the School bill.
Nice Première met with Deputy Jérôme Rivière, who answered our questions about the introduction of our national anthem into French schools.
Mr. Deputy, you are behind the reintroduction of “La Marseillaise” into French schools. Can you explain why?
Three years ago, the National Assembly, under the Perben Law, created an offense of public insult to the flag and the Marseillaise, which can be penalized with a fine of up to €7500. It’s an excellent measure, and I hope this offense will be retained to punish the foolish act committed a few days ago in Saint Blaise.
The creation of this offense was a first step, but it seemed essential to me to teach everyone the national anthem, which, it is good to remember, is mentioned in the French Constitution.
What gave you the idea to propose this bill?
In addition to this conviction, it seems essential to me that everyone knows the lyrics of “La Marseillaise”, its history, and the reasons why this song is a symbol of the values of the Republic. I have noticed that many children do not know the song as well as the reasons for its existence.
Anecdotally, I was struck years ago by a young goddaughter of 8 who, hearing “La Marseillaise” during an event, turned to me and said, “you hear, it’s the football song”. It appeared essential to me to make the teaching of “La Marseillaise” mandatory.
How should this learning be organized?
To each their own function. Members of Parliament, at my initiative, made this teaching mandatory, but it did not seem necessary to us to specify the form. The National Education, with all its bodies and the school teachers whose function it is, will implement, with intelligence and spirit, I am sure, the text of the law.
What do you think of the 2005 school year?
Despite some class closures, I find that this school year has generally gone well. I have met with the educational teams and parents of several middle schools and elementary schools, and I was not aware of any major incidents.
Finally, what is the current news from the Deputy of the first Nice constituency?
I am visiting the neighborhoods of the four cantons that make up the constituency to meet residents and merchants, as well as the leaders and volunteers of associations that animate the city, to prepare for the new parliamentary session.
At the end of September, I will also have the pleasure of announcing, together with the state services, the realization of a project concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities, a project I have been fighting for just over a year and which was lacking in our department.
I am also preparing to report to Parliament the budget for the equipment credits of the Ministry of Defense’s forces.
