At La Courneuve, a school director displays the list of absent teachers on the occasion of Eid – Liberation
« Friday June 6: absent. » To read the first lines, nothing unusual on this poster arranged at the entrance to an elementary school in La Courneuve, a few hours before the end of the classes, Thursday, June 5. A simple list of absent teachers and closed classes the next day, eight in number. But in red and in capital letters at the bottom of the sheet, the mention « Religious holiday », followed by an enigmatic reference to « Normandy landing in 1944 » – whose birthday took place on the same day – unworthy parents of students and unions. This list is published the day before Eid-el-Kébir, an annual celebration of the Muslim religion, and therefore specifically aims at school staff who have planned a day of absence for this occasion. The poster is written by the school director, who derogates from his reserve obligation compared to agents under his authority. “Parents of students were extremely shocked. We never indicate the reason for an absence. It does not respect the neutrality of the public service ”, Unsurcited Catherine Da Silva, trade unionist at the FSU-SNUIPP93.
The absence of school teachers for reasons of religious festivals is authorized by law. A circular of February 10, 2012 indicates that « Service heads can grant agents who wish to participate in the ceremonies celebrated during the main parties specific to their confession, the necessary absence authorizations. » Eid FAI
