Schools can breed negativity

LOOKING beyond “Options beyond the local state school” (Connexion, June) parents should be told there is no religious, spiritual, or moral guidance in schools.

While this may level the playing field and eliminate discrimination, it seems to have encouraged negativity and contempt for sensibility. My children had to learn a song with lyrics on “killing out of spite”, dedicating one’s nights to blasphemy and “cursing all those who love themselves”.

As they reach adulthood, it would hardly be surprising if children suffered diminished optimism, lowered self-esteem and greater difficulty in dealing objectively with criticism; with resulting effect on French society at large.

No school is perfect and there are many positive features of the state system, such as the broad (academic) subject base. But, if your child is sensitive, the state system’s negative tendency might be worth noting.