Commemorating the deaths of teachers Samual Paty and Dominique Bernard, killed by radical Islamists, is crucial not just to honor them but to support the country's educators and glean lessons from these tragedies.
The inability of the national education system to protect an openly threatened teacher sparked outrage; however, steps have since been taken to enhance teacher protection and handle threatening content.
The case of Bernard in Arras revealed that teachers can be targeted not just for their actions, but also for what they represent: the embodiment of the Republic's values.
Teachers, tasked with conveying secular ideals, understandably feel isolated and fearful, especially given the aggressive international situation.
Laity should not be reduced to prohibitions or dogmas; teachers need the strong support of the state to protect the school from Islamist manipulations and continue illuminating their students.
Conclusion: The state needs to strongly back teachers in their efforts to protect the school from Islamist interventions and avoid restrictions on choice, equality, and respect entailed in secularism.