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EWTN News, Dec 16, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
AnewreportpublishedbytheGeneralSecretariatforCatholicEducation(SGEC)inFrancehassentshockwavesthroughthecountry’seducationallandscape,reopeningthedebateoverthemethodsusedinstateoversight,possibleideologicalabuses,andtheirimpactoneducationalfreedom.
PublishedonDec.8,the14-pagedocumentwidelycitedintheFrenchpresscompilestestimoniesfromteachers,principals,andstaffinCatholicschoolsunderstatecontractwhoreporthavingbeensubjectedtowhatCatholiceducationleadersdescribeas“abusive,”“intrusive”inspectionscarriedoutbyofficialsfromtheMinistryofNationalEducation.Thereporthighlightsthatitdoesnotchallengetheprincipleofstateoversightitselfbutdenouncesthemethodsemployed—methodsthat,accordingtoCatholicleaders,riskunderminingboththedignityofeducatorsandtheveryidentityofCatholicschools.
ThecontroversyeruptedjustafewmonthsafterthepublicationofaparliamentaryreportcallingforincreasedoversightofCatholicinstitutionsinthenameofchi
