“My daughter wears a headscarf and she is not allowed to attend public school. I teach her at home, and she also attends the course of English at the training centre,” a mother based in West Kazakhstan region said wondering why her child cannot pursue secondary education.
In 2016, the ministry of education of Kazakhstan articulated the attitude of the state towards religious symbols at school. The school uniform must comply with the secular education standard, while “inclusion of elements of religious clothing of various faiths into school uniform is not allowed.”
However, some Kazakhstanis who believe that girls may wear religious headwear to school appeal to the constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The basic law of the country generally reads that everyone has a right to religious freedom and everyone is guaranteed free secondary education in public schools.
One of the Aksai-based (West Kazakhstan region) mothers, who wished to remain anonymous, refers to this provision in the Constitution. Her fifth-grade daughter wearing the headscarf for religious reasons is not allowed to attend school.
“She is a good pupil, has always been active. It hurts me that she cannot continue her education,” her mother complained.
According to her, the state could provide an option to such children, e.g., online education. However, Kazakhstan does not have a legal framework providing for online or home schooling (the exception was made for pupils with special needs).
Another option for girls wearing hijabs is studying at private schools.
“I can send my child to a private school. I will take a loan, run into debts, but I will find options for my daughter. But I want to raise a question: why do parents have to do so if they have a right for free education?” the Kazakhstan-based woman said.
However, private schools also have different attitudes to covered girls.
Diametrically opposite
Elena Vovnova, head of PR department of private school Wunder Academy (Almaty), said that their school is three years old only and their policy is still under development.
“But our position is unambiguous: it is up to child’s parents whether their girl would wear a headscarf in school or not. Religion is up to every family and we stay out of it. We have pupils who wear hijabs in school and have had no problems. It is also important to explain to children that we are all different and that is beautiful,” Elena Vovnova said.
The Lakeview School (Almaty) follows the ministerial order cited above. In other words, they do not allow any religious symbols in school uniform.
“We have never faced such requests: no one has ever asked the school administration about it [wearing headscarves]. But our rules are like that,” said Natalia Popova, deputy principal of academic affairs.
However, the school representative said that teachers always talk to their pupils and parents. They often hold joint meetings and resolve important issues there.
“Our position is to find questions in a dialogue, to suggest alternative options. If we act reasonably and wisely, we can always reach a compromise on such sensitive issue,” Popova said.
Fragile balance
According to Olzhas Bilyalov, public figure, candidate for the 8th convocation of the parliament, alternatives should be created: online or home schooling should be allowed.
“There’s no way out now – either you drop religion, or school. But according to the Constitution, we must teach children, it’s our duty,” Bilyalov said.
Also, according to him, the secular structure does not mean atheistic regime and persecution of religious people.
“We have the Constitution; everyone should respect it and stay away from attacks on religious people. Religious people do not demand that Quran should be taught in schools, or that other girls should wear headscarves. This is the compromise,” the human rights activist said.
Ainura Umaeva, communications specialist, director of PR agency “Privy Councillor”, is frustrated by the situation around religious head coverings in schools.
“I am not against the uniform once it conforms to school values shared by both students and their parents, and serves to bring together school community as part of the visual code. But the uniform should not become the reason for heated discussions,” Umaeva said.
She believes it is important to admit that all people are different from each other and move away from common principles, when members of one society want to ‘attack’ each other for otherness.
“Arguments based on the statement that they are norms of the secular state are no longer convincing. These are the norms of the anti-religious state. I wonder why those who encourage banning religious clothing cannot see that such situation has led France to a deadlock and social confrontation. The country has toughened the ban on Islamic clothing in schools, girls are not allowed to schools, and the country has ongoing fierce discussions,” Ainura Umaeva said.
According to her, it’s important to her as a mother that the child’s right to explore the world is respected in school.
“And the most important thing is that our educational system has more serious issues that remain unresolved. It is important to resolve these issues while respecting each other’s right to be oneself,” Ainura said.
According to Aleksei Son, member of the Lawyers Guild of Kazakhstan, the compromise and the ban issues are quite sensitive.
“We cannot make a mistake in this issue or carry out some experiments. It could have irreversible consequences,” the lawyer said.
According to the expert, the current legislation equally supports representatives of all permitted religious movements, and forbids giving any preferences to particular persons.
“Kazakhstan needs to keep the state and religion separate and to keep balance between representatives of various religions and non-believers,” the expert said.
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