Conflans-Sainte-Honorine College to be Renamed in Honor of Samuel Paty
In a significant move, the Bois-d'Aulne college in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine will be renamed to honor Samuel Paty, the teacher tragically murdered nearly four years ago. Laurent Brosse, the mayor of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, described the decision as "a strong symbol" during a recent announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). This decision, approved by the college's board of directors, now awaits ratification by both the municipal council and the departmental council of Yvelines, with President Pierre Bédier already expressing his support.
The renaming proposal was initially suggested shortly after Paty's assassination on October 16, 2020, but faced resistance from the school's teaching staff, who felt it was too soon to make such a change. Paul Marion, a former student and president of the association Les amis de Samuel Paty, has been a vocal advocate for the renaming, emphasizing the importance of addressing the trauma experienced by students and the community. He highlighted the need for collective action against the reluctance of elected officials to confront the past openly.
Parents of students have also requested that the name change not take effect until September 2024, allowing time for the last cohort of students who experienced the tragedy to transition to high school. The decision to rename the college is seen as a crucial step in acknowledging the impact of Paty's death and the ongoing conversation about the values of education and freedom of expression in France.
