The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law which demands that public school classrooms hold a one-minute moment of silence at the start of each day. The essence of this bill is to avail students with the chance for ‘’quiet reflection.’’
According to Christian Headlines, the bill, HB 529, states that teachers in all grades during the first-period classes are to set aside not less than one minute (and not more than two minutes) "during which students may not interfere with other students' participation."
Teachers are not allowed to give any proposal for the moment of silence. It supports parents or guardians to interact with their children on how best to use this time. Also, prayer is permitted in the text of the law. Below is the text of the new law.
"In today's hectic society, too few persons are able to experience even a moment of quiet reflection before plunging headlong into the activities of daily life. Young persons are particularly affected by the absence of an opportunity for a moment of quiet reflection.
"The Legislature finds that our youth, and society as a whole, would be well served if students in the public schools were afforded a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day."
Governor DeSantis, who is a Republican, spoke about the essence of the new law. He said that every family of the state should have the capacity to fund the education of their children with the knowledge that they will be guarded from hurt and will be free to exercise their faith. Also, he noted that it is an avenue to guard the freedom of religion.
"The idea that you can just push God out of every institution and you can be successful – I am sorry our Founding Fathers did not believe that," DeSantis said.
The state’s commissioner of education, Richard Corcoran, praised the passing of the bill by the legislature. He said that he is aware that a lot of children have challenges with mental health which affects them, their families, and their schools majorly. In his words,
"HB 529 empowers families to begin those ongoing conversations with their child on what they might reflect on during the moment of silence, and help them use this time as an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming day."
The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Randy Fine, affirmed that a moment of silence is necessary in a world occupied with "technological, media-driven, and societal turmoil." Hence, children need that moment for quiet reflection urgently. In conclusion, he said that it is in ‘’those fleeting moments that we find our higher purpose."
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