The Danish government wants to extend the 2018 ban on face-covering clothing to schools and universities to boost integration and equality.
The Danish government plans to extend the ban on wearing face-covering clothing in public spaces to include schools and universities. The bill, which is expected to be submitted to parliament in February 2026, aims to strengthen integration and promote equality in educational institutions. In his statement, Minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund emphasized that burqas, niqabs and similar garments have no place in Danish classrooms.
- The Danish government plans to extend the ban on revealing clothes to schools.
- The bill is intended to strengthen integration and equality in education.
- Minister Stoklund supports women facing the pressure of cultural norms.
- The 2018 ban is causing debate about its extension.
- Supporters claim integration, critics call the ban discriminatory.
According to Stoklund, the already existing ban on wearing face-covering clothing in public spaces, which has been in effect since 2018, should be extended to educational environments as well. At the same time, the minister expressed support for women and girls from an immigrant background who face the pressure of the culture of honor and outdated norms.
Integration support
Hans Andersen, spokesman for the liberal Venstre party, commented on the proposal, saying that full face covering in classrooms is against Danish values. According to him, it is important for teachers to be able to see the faces of their students, which he considers to be a basic prerequisite for effective education.
Denmark’s ban on wearing face-covering clothing in public has been controversial for several years. While its supporters say it contributes to the better integration of Muslim immigrants into society, critics, including human rights activists and religious groups, call it discriminatory and a violation of freedom of religion and election.
Controversial ban
Violations of the ban are punishable by fines, which its opponents say puts pressure on women who choose to wear face-covering garments for religious or cultural reasons. The discussion on the extension of the ban to educational institutions will probably reopen the question of the balance between integration and respect for individual rights.
