Justice and Law

Schools are struggling when it comes to considering that all people have equal rights. Of course, its established function is to ensure that pupils succeed academically, but it must also take charge of their education. However, this chapter will allow us to reflect on how the amount of freedom of expression schools grant their pupils is reduced, whilst it claims to try to teach them to be independent as good citizens with a critical mind....

An absence in being able to speak up as well as being independent has also been observed within several families. Furthermore, we are familiar with the consequences on numerous women and children who have been victims of violence and degradation. At the same time, the family is a social institution, and attempts are made to guard jealously its activities and private nature. This double discourse favours a certain ambiguity from which some people benefit to harbour a law of silence into which all forms of corruption by the authorities take shelter to escape the light of truth.

Respect and law, two imperatives for school and family, should be on the agenda. The “Other” is present everywhere and in the absence of whom we would not exist and vice-versa. In this regard, it is necessary to be willing to listen and exercise respect. This is the first rule which should be handed over to schools and families. The second one is justice being backed up by the law. If justice warrants a reprimand, it should be handed down within the framework of the respect of human rights. In the absence of this, unlawfulness and, even more so, a possible denial of injustice, with violent results, would always be feared.