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Catholic education network gives priority to full religious tolerance

14:28 04/05/2016

The Flanders Catholic education network (VSKO) has announced it will implement a policy of total acceptance of other faiths. The major upheaval to the Flemish Catholic education system comes at a time when schools across the region are increasingly filled with non-Catholic students, especially Muslims. Muslim students in the Catholic school system are from now on allowed to wear headscarves, make use of special prayer rooms and follow Islam classes outside of school hours.

The paradigm shift is part of a new school model in which other religions and life philosophies play a particularly important role. It means that Muslims and other faiths with a large representation in the schools will be respected and encouraged to practice their way of life without any attempts at conversion.

“It's an ambitious project, but research shows that our identity will weaken if we do nothing,” says VSKO director Lieven Boeve (pictured) in De Morgen. “We are challenging our schools to take a step in a new direction. The time when the schools were run by and for Catholics is over. Catholic identity no longer needs to be shared by each student or teacher, as long as they support the school project.”

Written by Robyn Boyle

Comments

Mikek1300gt

The thin end of the Muslim wedge has been firmly inserted.

May 4, 2016 18:27
salsadancer

I have a problem with this ideology. If a parent puts his child into a Catholic school, one would assume either the family is Catholic or they wish an education for their child in a Catholic school. This inherently should mean the school professes the Christian faith. You believe it or you go elsewhere. Now it appears it does not. If one put the shoe on the other foot, are children in Islamic schools allowed to pray in a special Christian room, let their shoulders, head and legs be uncovered, and children wear a cross if they wished. Someone please inform me. I think the latter should be tested and see what happens before Catholic schools begin their new idea.

May 4, 2016 19:54
Mikek1300gt

It would not be allowed to happen the other way around and we all know it.

May 4, 2016 22:52