Speaking as a guest on Bel RTL's morning show this Wednesday, the Minister-President of Wallonia Adrien Dolimont reacted to the recent controversy at the Université libre de Bruxelles.
During an exam, a professor asked all students, whether wearing a headscarf or not, to uncover their ears to prevent any attempt at cheating using hidden earpieces. According to the MR, this is a common-sense measure that upholds a clear principle: equal treatment for all.
"The aim was to ensure equal treatment for everyone. This professor simply wanted to uphold fairness among students," said Adrien Dolimont. In the context of academic assessment, respecting common rules is essential to guarantee the credibility of the degree and the integrity of higher education.
The minister nonetheless regrets that university management did not support the lecturer in question. "I find that unacceptable. I fully support him in his desire to carry out checks." For the MR, it is essential that academic institutions defend their teaching staff when they apply the rules rigorously and impartially.
Beyond this case, the MR points out that religious freedom, while essential in our democratic society, cannot be used to challenge neutral measures applied in a strictly academic setting. Guaranteeing excellent education means guaranteeing clear rules, fair checks, and supported teaching staff. This requires rejecting any pointless controversy and firmly reaffirming that schools and universities are places of learning, merit and fairness, not battlegrounds for ideological struggle.