French Education Minister Calls for National Support After Teacher Assault in Tourcoing

A teacher was attacked by a student over a request to remove a religious veil, sparking renewed debates on secularism in French schools.

The incident occurred at Lycée Sévigné in Tourcoing when a teacher asked a student to remove her veil, leading to a physical altercation.
Education Minister Anne Genetet emphasized the need for nationwide support for educators, highlighting the incident as a challenge to the authority and respect of teachers.
Didier Lemaire, a prominent figure in the fight against Islamism in schools, criticized the state's handling of secularism and called for accountability.
The student involved, aged 18, is scheduled to face trial in December for assault and threats against a public service worker.
Additional security measures and educational support teams have been deployed to the school to address ongoing tensions and reinforce the principles of the Republic.