Teacher Representatives Criticized Plans for Headscarf Ban

The SPÖ teacher representatives criticize that the justification for the ban in the draft law, citing the welfare of the child, represents a "gross misjudgment" as long as other important issues are not also addressed. Additionally, the extra burden in case of violations is criticized. The staff representation of AHS teachers advocates for changes in the four-step process.

SPÖ Teacher Representatives Reject Headscarf Ban and See Other Urgent Issues Neglected

"To see the quality of the general welfare of children in our schools as dependent on a minority of girls wearing headscarves is, for us, a gross misjudgment," said the Social Democratic Teachers (SLÖ) in a statement during the ongoing review process. As "existential questions for the welfare of the child" that should also be brought to the forefront of education and youth policy, they mention digital "dumbing down" in early childhood, sugary foods, school separation already at the age of 10, as well as the exemption of (mostly Muslim) girls from swimming or physical education classes and the withdrawal from school events. The SPÖ teacher representatives also view critically the additional tasks for schools that arise from the legislative proposal. These would contradict the two-year ongoing process to relieve schools.

Headscarf Ban: AHS Teachers' Staff Representation for Changes

The central committee of AHS teachers is calling for specific changes to the planned four-step process in the event of violations against the ban. The staff representation advocates in their statement that the first step - the initial conversation between the school management and the affected student alone - be omitted. Instead, the school management should immediately invite the guardians to a meeting. This is justified by the fact that young girls, in the vast majority of cases, do not wear a headscarf of their own accord, and a conversation with them alone would therefore not be effective.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.