French Education Ministry Clarifies Advent Calendar Use in Schools After Laïcité Debate

The controversy arose after an inspector's directive in the Aisne region called for banning Advent calendars in classrooms, citing laïcité, but the Education Minister reaffirmed their compatibility with secular principles.

An inspector in the Aisne region instructed schools to avoid using Advent calendars, claiming they violated France's laïcité principles by being rooted in religious tradition.
The directive faced backlash from local officials, including Senator Pierre-Jean Verzelen and regional president Xavier Bertrand, who argued the calendars are cultural and pedagogical tools.
Education Minister Anne Genetet clarified that the inspector's directive was an isolated action and does not reflect national policy or legal precedent.
Genetet emphasized that Advent calendars, as largely secularized and cultural objects, are compatible with laïcité when free of explicitly religious content.
The incident has reignited discussions about the balance between preserving cultural heritage and maintaining strict secularism in public institutions like schools.

Le Journal du Dimanche