Flemish Minister of Internal Affairs Hilde Crevits (CD&V) has not yet received the decision from East Flanders regarding the implementation of a ban on religious symbols in provincial schools, delaying judgement on two complaints.
The party Groen and a citizens’ group have lodged a complaint with the Agency for Internal Governance (ABB) against the manner in which the headscarf ban was introduced. They accuse the provincial authority of inadequate involvement of school boards, which they claim violates participatory regulations.
Crevits has requested the province’s decision, but it has not been provided to her yet. The province has 30 days to do so, extendable by another 30 days.
This prolongs uncertainty. “Regardless of my personal opinion, it is an awkward situation,” Crevits said. “The decision could either remain or be annulled if we are competent, which is challenging during this uncertain period.”
Groen has called for a one-year postponement of the decision, fearing that some girls might drop out and fail to graduate. “This decision was reached in a very careless manner,” said Fourat Ben Chikha. “It is only logical, as we requested in Ghent, to postpone the decision by a year. This would allow us to ensure procedural fairness, ultimately benefiting everyone instead of leaving only losers.”
