Flemish Interior Minister Hilde Crevits has overturned a decision by the East Flanders provincial council to ban religious symbols, including the Islamic headscarf, in all schools directly managed by the province.
The decision, made on 30 April, was set to take effect in the upcoming school year, but it faced two appeals.
Though the province, as an organising authority, is allowed to impose such a ban, it must follow appropriate procedures and allow for public consultation, which it failed to do. Consequently, Minister Crevits annulled the decision.
The necessary recommendations from school councils were unavailable when the decision was made. Provincial council members require access to all relevant documents in a timely manner according to procedure. The minister has reminded the province to respect the rights of council members and adhere to proper procedures in the future.
Many schools already ban religious symbols, but a provincial secondary school in Ghent expressed concerns about enforcing mandatory neutrality. Teachers have warned that approximately 100 headscarf-wearing girls might drop out of the school system entirely, as it is far too late to enrol elsewhere.
The minister also reminded the province of East Flanders that "in the future, it must respect the rights of provincial council members and apply the procedures correctly when making any new decisions."
