France plans a compulsory module against anti-LGBT discrimination in schools

Paris – 25 July 2026: The French government intends to provide more targeted training for leaders in the national education system in dealing with anti-LGBT discrimination. The minister responsible for equality and the fight against discrimination, Aurore Bergé, announced a dedicated training module for school principals and inspectors. At the same time, continuing education for management staff is to be strengthened.

The measure is aimed at those responsible for decisions on prevention, internal school procedures and responses to reported incidents. School administrations are responsible for the school climate and on-site organisation. Inspectors support teachers, advise institutions and monitor the implementation of national provisions. The government therefore explicitly treats protection against discrimination as a leadership task.

According to the Ministry of Education, combating anti-LGBT hostility is already part of the national training programme for 2026 and 2027. It provides for mandatory courses on the values of the Republic, attacks on these principles, and combating racism, antisemitism, anti-LGBT hostility and other forms of discrimination. The announced module is intended to make this general orientation concrete for management staff.

The project is based on the state’s mandate to protect female and male students from homophobia and transphobia. The Ministry of Education emphasises that young people who differ from widely held ideas about gender or sexual orientation, or who are perceived by others as different, may experience insults, exclusion and violence. Schools should therefore be safe places of learning and act according to understandable rules in cases of aggression.

Several state authorities are involved in implementation. The Ministry of Education is responsible for personnel policy, training and school supervision. In her department, Bergé coordinates policies for equality and against discrimination. Her remit also includes the interministerial delegation DILCRAH, which coordinates state measures against racism, antisemitism and anti-LGBT hatred.

It remains unclear so far how extensive the module will be and when it is to be compulsorily integrated into existing training programmes. Initially, no details were provided on teaching materials, assessment methods or a uniform evaluation either. This is of practical importance for schools: training can help managers classify incidents, protect those involved, document complaints and, if necessary, involve the competent authorities.

The project is linked to the national training programme, which explicitly mentions anti-LGBT hostility alongside racism and antisemitism. With the additional module, the government is now directing its provisions at the people who decide on their concrete implementation in schools and supervisory structures.