France considers teaching Arabic in public schools

France is considering adding Arabic classes in its public schools to provide students a religious free alternative to Muslim affiliated schools in the country. French President Emmanuel Macron’s government is thinking of encouraging schools to offer Arabic lessons to students as little as 6 years old, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The idea comes […]

France is considering adding Arabic classes in its public schools to provide students a religious free alternative to Muslim affiliated schools in the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s government is thinking of encouraging schools to offer Arabic lessons to students as little as 6 years old, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The idea comes as some French officials find the lack of teaching the language in public schools has led to a cultural divide between the Muslim-minority community and the country.

The French government says that thousands of children attend classes funded partially by Arabic-speaking countries, according to WSJ. Some attend private schools affiliated with mosques where students may learn Arabic if the teacher has a full understanding of the language while others are encouraged to memorize verses from the Quran.

Algerian, Moroccan and former French colony governments partially take care of teaching Arabic by sending and paying teachers to teach the language in France to help immigrant children remain in touch with their original culture, WSJ reported.

(Wall Street Journal/Daily Caller)