Ouest France
26.02.2013
Of the 25 Muslim educational facilities in France, the Lycée Averroès in Lille, a Muslim private school, is the only one to be funded by the French state. In accordance with French law, the Islamic faith practiced in the institution is one coined by tolerance and inclusiveness of non-Muslims.
The school was opened in 2003 and started with 12 students. After having successfully run the school with a 100% BAC success rate, the school started to attract state funding. As a result, teachers started to be paid by state salaries and the school could provide almost free education to its students. Today, there are 290 students enrolled in the Muslim school, which is open for admission to anyone, including non-Muslims. The curriculum is similar as to of Catholic schools in France, recognizing both Catholic and Islamic holidays and refraining from proselytising.
