Public school controversies In France and Belgium there was a notable controversy at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century on the role of Masons in the establisment of a public school system The idea was that since Masons were said to have played an important part in the founding of the Republic the education system should allow a good deal of space for Masonic public educators The educators were known as the Black Knights Hussards noirs because their particular attire and devotion to secularist values Conversely all Catholic involvement in the education system was restricted or forbidden because of its seemingly religious character This issue was for a long time at the forefront of difficult Church State relations on the continent and better access to private education was only granted in the 1980s after a long period of domination by the public sector There were also similar issues in Mexico after the signing of the 1917 constitution