Netherlands Plans To Ban Burkas in Schools

In the Netherlands, Education Minister Ronald Plasterk says legislation will be introduced in Parliament next year to ban the wearing of the burka at all elementary and secondary schools, including private Muslim schools. The London Telegraph reported yesterday that the proposed ban will apply to all teachers and visitors, as well as to parents picking up their children. Plasterk argued that "It is important for children to learn that proper communication requires being able to look the other person in the eye ." Estimates indicate that only about 100 women in all of the Netherlands wear burkas. Yesterday's Dutch News says that Plasterk's proposal follows a decision by the Cabinet in February not to totally ban the burka in public. However, a burka ban is likely to also be imposed on government employees and hospital workers, and extended by local authorities to council buildings and public transportation. (See prior related posting.)