<![CDATA[Ara Balears in English - Nel Martí]]> 10 <![CDATA[Secularism, the foundation of democratic education]]> Secularism is the principle that guarantees the independence of politics and education from religious denominations, in order to preserve freedom of conscience, pluralism, and the shared values ​​inherent in a democratic society, such as human rights. Freedom of conscience is incompatible with any form of dogmatic imposition; for this reason, secularism becomes a necessary condition to avoid singular and exclusionary views of reality. This principle is embodied in the confessional neutrality of the State. But it is important to clarify: neutrality does not mean an absence of values. On the contrary. A secular state does not adopt any specific religious doctrine, but acts impartially and actively to create a public space where all options of conscience can be expressed without privilege. Secularism is neither anti-religious nor relativistic; it is based on universal values ​​such as freedom, equality, and personal autonomy. The very origin of the word secularism reinforces this idea. It comes from the Greek 'Laos'Secularism, which means 'people' or 'the common good,' appeals to what makes all members of a society equal as citizens, regardless of their individual beliefs. From this arises a fundamental distinction: in the private sphere, everyone is free to live according to their convictions; in the public sphere, the State must guarantee that no particular option holds a privileged position over common institutions. This perspective does not ignore the history or culture of territories. Many societies have deep religious roots, and their recognition is part of respecting collective identity. But respecting history does not mean sacralizing it or turning it into a political norm. Democratic societies are built from the present, based on principles of equality and freedom. It is in the educational sphere that secularism acquires special relevance. Public schools are civic spaces intended to foster citizenship. Therefore, they must guarantee a common framework based on equality, respect for diversity, and freedom of conscience for all students. This civil neutrality is essential for schools to provide education without exclusion or discrimination.

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In just over half a century, society has undergone profound transformations that have radically altered the main agents of socialization. The family, the street, the world of work, and the media no longer play the same role they did decades ago. This change cannot be interpreted through the lens of nostalgia for an idealized past, often imbued with a conservative and even authoritarian morality, as has also been the case in our own society. Many of the social changes of the last century, both in Europe and in Spain and the Balearic Islands, have been clearly liberating and humanizing.

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