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| Dutch State Secretary: Islamic School Can Never be Closed |
| 2009-08-29 |
| There are no conditions under which a government-subsidised school can be closed down. An extremely poor quality of education or the brainwashing of children are not criteria that make closure legally possible, according to Education State Secretary Sharon Dijksma. In TV talk show Knevel & Van der Brink, the Labour (PvdA) state secretary responded to criticism that her 'rigorous measures' against an ultra-orthodox Islamic school went no further than a five percent subsidy cut. Islamic primary school As Siddieq in Amsterdam faces this reduction in subsidy until 1 March. In the meantime, the Education Inspectorate will check to see if things improve. If not, subsidy will be squeezed further. According to the Inspectorate, the education offered by the school falls short in 'essential areas'. Dijksma confirmed that the school teaches 6 and 7 year olds that only Muslims can be good people. "The school actively thwarts integration". As Siddieq has around 900 pupils. A Christian woman who briefly worked at the school for idealistic reasons recently stated in newspaper Het Parool that she was not allowed to be greeted with 'Salam' (peace) like the other teachers because non-Muslims cannot know peace. She also had to eat her meals separately. When Knevel & Van der Brink asked Dijksma why she does not simply close the school down she replied that there is nothing in Dutch law that makes this possible . The only measure she can take is to raise the pressure by threatening with increasing subsidy cuts, she said. The 4.5 million euro subsidy is being cut by only 5 percent "because the sanction needs to be proportional". Amsterdam municipality also subsidised the school but has now discontinued the subsidies entirely. Alderman for education Lodewijk Asscher (PvdA) has requested the board to step down, but to no avail. "They will not accept criticism of any kind. They blame everything on everybody else", as the frustrated alderman stated after a meeting with the school. Incidentally, the chairman of the board of As Siddieq was not present at this talk; he has been staying in Egypt for weeks. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #1 Isee two problems, both of which can be fixed easily. 1. Change the laws. 2. Elect different leaders. 3, If needed do both. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2009-08-29 13:49 |