The Antwerp alderman for Education, Robert Voorhamme wants to implement a headscarf ban for employees of the municipal education system, says the organization Baas Over Eigen Hoofd (BOEH!, 'Boss of my own head'). They say they have heard about the resolution from 'a trustworthy source'. BOEH! calls the proposal unfriendly to women and discriminating.
BEOH! says that saying a teacher with a headscarf imposes her convictions on her students is a weak argument. If a teacher says or does something they shouldn't on the basis of political or religious convictions, then people should address that person's actions, not their outward appearance.
They press release continues: The education system should reflect the current multicultural and multi-religious society. A school that concerns itself with the personal and life philosophy choices of its teachers violates the neutrality principle. Neutrality must be guaranteed on the level of carrying out functions, not on the level of external characteristics.
BOEH! stress that the ban would be applied to barely eight employees of the municipal education system.
The city of Antwerp claims to have a diverse personnel policy and that it gives opportunities to diverse groups, but a headscarf ban does exactly the opposite, say BOEH!
Source: HLN (Dutch)
See also: Lier: Headscarf ban, Antwerp: Politician wears hijab in protest, Antwerp: Municipal veil ban drawing protest
1 comment:
Neutrality must be guaranteed on the level of carrying out functions, not on the level of external characteristics
A swastika would be merely an outward characteristic, too?
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