school battalions taking place on thursdays and sundays in France, 19th century (photo)

Inscribed in the Jules Ferry Act of 28 March 1882 on compulsory primary education, school battalions were organized by the Decret of 6 July 1882, under the supervision of the three Ministeres of Public Education, War and the Interior. They are managed by the municipalities that finance the supervision, equipment and arming of child soldiers. Exercises take place on Thursday, day without school, and on Sunday. Unidentified school battalion, original photographic print at the end of the 19th century - Uniform schoolchildren doing military exercises in front of the school, under the eye of the master, with flag and miniature rifles equipped with bayonets -