The presence of visual representations with religious content in constitutionally secular public school: a study in early childhood education classrooms

Abstract

One of the manifestations that creates confusion within the context of the relationship between the secular state, the principle of neutrality and the exercise of the right to education, is the presence of religious symbols in public schools. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to analyse the representation of human figures with religious content in the early childhood education classrooms of public schools in a capital city. In half of schools visited there is a significant presence of human figures with religious content. It has been shown a transformation of discourse which surpasses the representation of the crucifix is observed. The visual representations distort the principle of neutrality of the state and their show more an intention of religious education that the development of the spiritual dimension. Our study gives new information about the treatment of religion and spiritual dimension in the early childhood education curriculum within the constitutionally secular school.

Keywords

• escuela pública
• símbolos religiosos
• educación infantil
• entorno escolar
• representaciones visuales