Copenhagen: Outrage at mothers-only school meeting
Politicians up in arms over school's anti-bullying meeting that is aimed only at mothers of pupils
The decision taken by a Copenhagen school to ban fathers from a parental meeting out of respect for Muslim mothers has drawn deep divides between politicians and school leaders.
Holberg School in the city's Bispebjerg district has scheduled a meeting for parents about the school's anti-bullying policy this evening. But the meeting at the multi-cultural school is mothers only, and neither Danish nor immigrant fathers of pupils have been welcomed to attend.
The invitation from the school invites mothers to attend a 'debate about bullying that includes mother talk, yummy food, coffee and cake'. They are also invited to bring their young children with them if needed, as babysitting will be provided.
School principal Søren Ellesøe told Berlingske Tidende newspaper that the school took the decision in order to reach out to a group of parents who usually don't attend parent teacher meetings.
'We have immigrant women parents in particular whose husbands believe that women should not take part in something if other men are present,' he said.
A questionnaire on the school's website undertaken by older students showed that a quarter of the school pupils come from a non-Danish ethnic background.
Chairman of the Danish Teachers' Union, Anders Bondo Christensen, is backing the decision taken by the principal.
'If it's to ensure that students get a safe and good school day without bullying then I respect the decision,' he said.
But politicians are up in arms, most notably Socialist People's Party leader Villy Søvndal, who is outraged that the fathers' equality is being ignored out of consideration for some 'obdurate religious ideas'.
(more)
Source: Copenhagen Post (English)
Politicians up in arms over school's anti-bullying meeting that is aimed only at mothers of pupils
The decision taken by a Copenhagen school to ban fathers from a parental meeting out of respect for Muslim mothers has drawn deep divides between politicians and school leaders.
Holberg School in the city's Bispebjerg district has scheduled a meeting for parents about the school's anti-bullying policy this evening. But the meeting at the multi-cultural school is mothers only, and neither Danish nor immigrant fathers of pupils have been welcomed to attend.
The invitation from the school invites mothers to attend a 'debate about bullying that includes mother talk, yummy food, coffee and cake'. They are also invited to bring their young children with them if needed, as babysitting will be provided.
School principal Søren Ellesøe told Berlingske Tidende newspaper that the school took the decision in order to reach out to a group of parents who usually don't attend parent teacher meetings.
'We have immigrant women parents in particular whose husbands believe that women should not take part in something if other men are present,' he said.
A questionnaire on the school's website undertaken by older students showed that a quarter of the school pupils come from a non-Danish ethnic background.
Chairman of the Danish Teachers' Union, Anders Bondo Christensen, is backing the decision taken by the principal.
'If it's to ensure that students get a safe and good school day without bullying then I respect the decision,' he said.
But politicians are up in arms, most notably Socialist People's Party leader Villy Søvndal, who is outraged that the fathers' equality is being ignored out of consideration for some 'obdurate religious ideas'.
(more)
Source: Copenhagen Post (English)
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