This Monday, during the Education committee of the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, our MP Clémentine Barzin questioned Education Minister Valérie Glatigny on compliance with neutrality in state education. This question follows controversy over the diploma ceremony held by Lycée Émile Max. As part of her intention to move forward with banning the wearing of religious symbols by teachers, the minister clarified that extending this ban to pupils is under review.
On 4 July, Lycée Émile Max, located in Schaerbeek, held its traditional end-of-year ceremony at the town hall. This official event sparked controversy after the school's management reminded pupils of the internal regulations. These regulations, adopted by the municipal council, ban the wearing of religious symbols during school hours, including during outings and school activities. Despite complying with the regulations daily, two pupils chose to wear the headscarf during the ceremony, reigniting the debate on neutrality and religious symbols at school.
“The 1994 Neutrality Decree requires teachers to refrain from any expression in favour of a religious, philosophical or political system, without however explicitly banning religious symbols. This grey area leaves room for varying interpretations by organising authorities. In this context, we welcome your recent statements, Minister, announcing a draft decree aimed at banning the wearing of religious symbols for teachers in state education. This is a concrete response to the recent controversies our schools are facing,” said Clémentine Barzin in committee.
But what about pupils? Hearings on the phenomenon of radicalism and self-censorship in schools are currently being organised at the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, at the initiative of the MR. These exchanges have allowed teachers to testify about the difficulties they face on the ground regarding the wearing of religious symbols.
“A teacher told us of strong pressure surrounding the wearing of the headscarf, going, according to him, as far as physical assault. I am convinced that, given the need for support expressed by teaching staff, and in the name of the principle of emancipation at the heart of education's mission, we must provide a clear framework on neutrality, for both teachers and pupils,” Clémentine Barzin continued.
Minister Valérie Glatigny stressed that the incident in Schaerbeek, as well as recent attempts at municipal motions to regulate the wearing of the headscarf, demonstrate the need for a clear position on neutrality in state education. She thus confirmed that, as part of her draft decree banning the wearing of religious symbols, she would go as far as possible.