<P> School prayer, in the context of religious liberty, is state - sanctioned or mandatory prayer by students in public schools . Depending on the country and the type of school, state - sponsored prayer may be required, permitted, or prohibited . Countries which prohibit or limit school prayer often differ in their reasons for doing so: In the United States, school prayer cannot be required of students in accordance with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution . In Canada, school - sponsored prayer is disallowed under the concept of Freedom of conscience as outlined in the Canadian Charter on Rights & Fundamental Freedoms . School - sponsored prayer is disallowed in France as a byproduct of its status as a laïcist (religiously neutral) nation . Countries that allow or require school and other state - sponsored prayer include Greece, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom . </P> <P> In the United States, public schools are banned from conducting religious observances such as prayer . The legal basis for this prohibition is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which requires that </P>

According to the supreme court reciting prayers or bible readings in public schools violates