The Episcopal Conference of Burkina Faso has decided to prohibit the use of veils or turbans within Catholic schools.
Newsroom (07/05/2023 08:00, Gaudium Press) The Episcopal Conference of Burkina Faso has decided to prohibit the use of veils or turbans within Catholic schools.
The new measure will come into effect in September, at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, in all Catholic schools and institutes throughout the country.
According to the decision, elementary and secondary school students must attend school with their hair in its natural state, meaning the use of veils and turbans as adornments or signs of religious affiliation is prohibited.
Role in the education of men and women in society
The bishops’ conference issued a statement justifying the decision, emphasizing that the Catholic Church shares responsibility, along with civil society and parents, for the education of men and women since the beginning of evangelization in the country in 1900.
The statement explains that “the sole objective of this text is to allow those who enroll in educational structures to do so freely and enable the Catholic Church to fulfill its mission according to its principles.”
It also mentions that candidate students must meet certain requirements, including payment of registration and tuition fees, compliance with administrative decisions, and adherence to the dress code.
Guaranteeing individual freedoms
The statement is based on Article 59 of the decree of September 26, 2018, regarding the internal regulations of Catholic institutions in Burkina Faso.
So far, the decision of the Bishops of Burkina Faso has been accepted naturally. Catholic schools in the country are known for providing quality education and achieving good results.
Furthermore, former Muslim students who attended Catholic schools state that these Catholic institutions respect students’ individual freedoms.
Burkina Faso is a country in West Africa with a population of about 15 million, with the majority being Muslim (48.6%) and only 17% Christians, most of whom are Catholics. Since 2015, the country has been facing a wave of violence perpetrated by radical Muslims, who carry out attacks, kidnappings, and other acts of violence. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
