France’s education minister, Gabriel Attal, announced on Sunday a forthcoming ban on wearing the abaya in schools across the country. The abaya, a loose Islamic women’s tunic, has become a focal point in debates over secularism and public schooling, prompting policymakers to weigh how to balance personal expression with national principles of neutrality in classrooms.
In a candid interview with TF1, Attal framed the move as part of a broader, fair, and necessary approach to secularism in schools. He indicated that while an exact implementation date was not set, the plan would be discussed with education officials before the new school year begins on September 4. The aim is to establish clear national guidelines that reflect the government’s stance on neutrality inside educational institutions and to provide principals with concrete policy tools to address these issues on the ground.
Attal added that students would no longer be able to arrive at school wearing the abaya, emphasizing that school principals are frequently on the front lines of tackling questions about religious symbols in the classroom. He stressed the need for consistent support from the state to uphold secular norms, noting that clarity from national authorities would help schools manage these delicate situations more effectively and fairly for all students.
Regarding the scope of the ban, Attal said he hoped to present explicit rules at the national level in the coming days. The policy would cover the full body, with the intention of ensuring that clothing aligns with secular principles while acknowledging cultural diversity. In many cases, the abaya is accompanied by a head covering, and some students may include a scarf or similar item to complete a modest look. The government’s aim is to provide transparent guidance that minimizes ambiguity for families and schools alike.
This announcement followed a wave of discussion triggered by a government memo describing what officials called waves of attacks on secularism in schools. The memo, reported by major outlets including Le Figaro and others, highlighted a rising number of incidents in the 2022-2023 school year compared with the previous year, underscoring the urgency that policymakers feel about addressing neutrality in education. The figures cited show a notable increase, with thousands of reports recorded during the last school year, signaling a broader trend that authorities see as requiring decisive rules and consistent enforcement across districts.