Families in France have united to call for parental rights to be protected in the face of Government moves to ban homeschooling.

The French government announced the intention in a statement delivered in October, citing the fight against “separatism” as the basis for the controversial move. The proposal would also place new restrictions on the independence of private schools. Such action would severely curtail rights that have not only been upheld in French national law since 1882, but also are affirmed in international human rights law.

“International law recognizes the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children. Children are born to parents, not the state, and it should be parents who make decisions about how to best raise their children,” said Jennifer Lea, legal counsel for ADF International in Strasbourg.

“Every child is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach to learning undermines the investment in the next generation. Homeschooling can bring enormous benefits to children – for example, those with exceptional gifts in music, dance, or athletics, and who need extra time to hone their skill; or children who perhaps struggle to learn at the pace of a busy classroom, and require more one-on-one attention,” she continued.