Teacher who refuses to teach without headscarf faces disciplinary hearing in Assenede

Hadija Amajoud still hopes she will not lose her teaching job after appearing before the East Flanders provincial government’s disciplinary committee.

Amajoud teaches at Kiempunt campus Assenede, a school for special primary education. She refuses to teach without her headscarf, but religious symbols have been banned in all schools run by the province since the start of the school year.

“I told them that I am willing to look for a compromise,” Amajoud said. “For example, I would also be willing to wear a turban instead of a headscarf. But the administration would not listen to that.”

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I told them that I am willing to look for a compromise. For example, I would also be willing to wear a turban instead of a headscarf. But the administration would not listen to that.

She said she remains confident that she will be allowed to stay. “I expect them to consider my impact as a competent teacher more important than what I look like,” she said.

Around 40 supporters came to the provincial headquarters during the hearing. The province’s ban applies to teachers and pupils, who may not wear signs, symbols or clothing expressing a political or religious belief. The provincial government had planned to introduce the measure last school year, but Flemish Interior Minister Hilde Crevits annulled it because of a procedural error. Officials will tell Amajoud their decision next Thursday.

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I expect them to consider my impact as a competent teacher more important than what I look like.