Pour l'introduction de l'éthique à l'école

The teaching of morals and citizenship, which was central to French education policy from the time of Jules Ferry, has now been virtually abandoned – even though, as Christian Nique argues, schools have a major role to play in ensuring social cohesion and filling the moral vacuum created by the rise of individualism.
Nique argues that schools should not relinquish this responsibility. He ponders what the differences might be between ethics -a concept that is more acceptable today- and morals -which is based on the idea of a code of human behaviour imposed from above; he ultimately concludes that, whatever the semantic differences, society cannot live without laws, except at the risk of falling apart or becoming the victim of a “moral order” imposed by a minority…
Concerned above all to preserve the social fabric but also aware of the important ethical issues likely to face tomorrow’ adults, Nique argues forcefully that schools (perhaps the last institution capable of taking on this role) should once again give high priority to the teaching of ethics, morals and citizenship, which in future will be more essential than ever.