Retired from teaching, I was an ECR teacher for nine years in 4e secondary.
This course, which will soon be replaced by a more identity-based program, was not bad at all.
In class, we tackled themes such as the Future of Humanity (supported by the reflections of Hubert Reeves, Michel Jourdain and Pierre Dansereau).
Intolerance was also on the program. This theme led the students to think about what makes others suffer, that is to say the prejudices expressed through sexism, homophobia, racism, Nazism …
Similarly, a module on justice and human rights was also food for thought.
Existential questions occupied part of the program. These reflections on the meaning of life therefore led us to look at the great religions as sources of answers. In this regard, regardless of the content taught, the development of critical thinking was a priority in order to enrich and refine the judgment of these 15-year-old students. In any case, I did not have the impression of indoctrinating the students. On the contrary, I had the feeling of opening the eyes and hearts of these young people in order to build a more human and better world.
In closing, when I look at the Minister’s speech regarding the ECR course, it is as if I had given another course. I do not recognize myself in any way through his speech, because it in no way depicts my experience and my lived through these nine years of teaching! I find that sad!
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