He also regretted that this “neutrality” decree did not apply to free confessional education. In the minister’s defense, it must be recognized that such a measure could be inconsistent with the Belgian Constitution and its article 24 which guarantees a certain autonomy to free confessional education.
Religious symbols at work: no direct discrimination if the ban is general
In any case, and even if this is already the case in most establishments, all members of staff who are in contact with students, with the exception of those who teach a religion course, will no longer be able to display a distinctive sign. Are therefore concerned: teachers – including trainees -, members of management, educators, paramedical and administrative staff, kitchen staff, workers, the general Inspection service as well as the general piloting service.
Another element of the decree needs to be explained. This is the “self-censorship” aspect. Indeed, the minister, relying on a barometer – contested in the opposition which considers that the extent of the problem is exaggerated – explains that 62% of teachers have declared having already been forced to self-censor when they approach certain subjects.
Wearing religious symbols at work: continuation and end?
We will no longer offend the students
In a decree dating from 1994 and relating to the Education code, the following sentence poses a problem to the majority. “The staff treats questions that affect the inner life, beliefs, political or philosophical convictions, religious options of man in terms that cannot offend the opinions and feelings of any of the students.”
The very last part of the sentence “in terms which cannot offend the opinions and feelings of any of the students”, ainsi été supprimée.
Should we authorize the wearing of religious symbols in public services?
The minister gives some examples of subjects which sometimes pose a problem for certain students: “Darwin’s theory of evolution, the presentation of a work of art representing a nude or the diagram of a reproductive system or even the difficulty of addressing the historical fact of the Shoah, of addressing human rights when they affect equality between the sexes, LGBTQIA minorities +, to carry out the dissection of a pig’s heart or quite simply of an animal organ, etc.”
Valérie Glatigny announces that resources should be provided to schools in which teachers are faced with these problems.
