French 'secularism charter' to ban religious clothing, objection to curriculum in schools

France plans to launch a "secularism charter" in schools that will lead to a ban on religious clothing on premises and prevent objections of school curriculum.

The 15-point statement will be displayed on school walls to remind both pupils and teachers that they are not allowed to wear headscarves or crucifixes, among other items of religious clothing, nor object to parts of the state curriculum such as the teaching of evolution or The Holocaust, the Independent reports.

Some critics have denounced the charter as an attack on Islam, while others have complained that it is an inadequate response to the growing influence of intolerant strains of Islam in multi-racial suburbs of French cities.

However, the state has argued that the secularism charter is being introduced to guarantee equality of all religions and should not been seen as an attack on the principle of the faith itself.

Teachers have also criticised the charter.