Religion in schools controversies around the world

Synopsis

Many Americans may believe that religion in the schools is only a controversial subject in the United States. But around the world, the subject has gained widespread notoriety, media coverage, and attention from governing bodies, school administrations, and individuals. For instance, in France, there was a recent conflict erupted when a young girl wore a headscarf to school her public school. In India, a panel was appointed to remove Hindu religious beliefs from high-school textbooks. In Pakistan, the government passed a law to make the curriculum of Islamic religious schools more secular in its approach. In the United States, debates abound regarding the Pledge of Allegiance, the posting of the Ten Commandments, prayer in school, and other familiar arguments. But why do these controversies exist? What prompts them? Why do certain conflicts arise and what attempts are made to deal with them? How have solutions fared? How are the controversies in one country similar to or different from those in another?