Quebec government introduces law to ban face coverings like hijabs in schools

 

 

The government of the province of Quebec is introducing legislation to ban students, teachers and non-teaching staff from wearing face coverings like hijabs in schools. Under Bill 94, the ban will apply not only to teachers and principals, but also to all employees and volunteers in public schools. This means that after-school monitors, secretaries, volunteers and librarians will not be able to wear religious symbols like kippahs or hijabs.

The ban is part of the province’s strengthening of secularism laws, said Bernard Drainville, the province’s education minister. It applies to anyone entering schools, including all school employees and students. The same rule on face coverings will apply to parents picking up their children from school. It is not yet clear how many students will be affected by the face covering law. A recent report found problems in maintaining a secular atmosphere in 17 schools.