French Children Play ‘Silence Reigns’ To Prepare for Terrorism

French children as young as three are being taught to keep silent to stay safe in the event of a terrorist attack.

Thu, August 25, 2016



French police on guard. (Photo: © Creative Commons/Pablo Ibanez)


Beginning in September, every school in France will organize three counter-terrorism drills per year, as part of the government’s new security measures.

The drills will focus on different safety measures depending on the location and scenario of the simulation. At least one drill of the three will focus on a scenario in which the terrorists enter the building.

Children aged 13-14 will learn basic life-saving techniques, while young children will be taught how to keep silent in a game called “le roi silence (silence reigns).”

Additionally, France is calling up 3,000 reserve gendarmes to protect schools and other educational establishments. Mobile patrols will monitor entrances and exits.

An extra €50 ($56.4) million is being allocated to local authorities for school protection.

The new anti-terror security measures are aimed at “preventing the risk of an attack and, at the same time, guaranteeing a serene atmosphere in school.”

France has introduced the measures in the middle of an ongoing culture war about the burkini swimsuit, which has been banned. Photos of armed French police forcing a Muslim woman in Nice to remove her burkini have gone viral, causing widespread anger on social media and not just from Muslims.

The ban has also been condemned by the International Humanist and Ethical Union.


French Children Play ‘Silence Reigns’ To Prepare for Terrorism