Headscarf dispute in French high school renews debate on secularism

An 18-year-old student was taken into police custody on Monday evening after allegedly assaulting her teacher at Lycée Sévigné in the northern French city of Tourcoing.

The incident reportedly happened after the teacher asked the student to remove her headscarf, as she put it back on while preparing to leave school. 

The student refused and subsequently pushed, slapped, and struck the teacher before fleeing the scene. She was later found at her home and placed under arrest. 

The teacher, a social and medical sciences instructor, has filed a formal complaint, and classes at the school were cancelled on Tuesday as teachers exercised their right to strike in response to the incident. 

‘Laïcité’ and headscarf controversy in France

The latest incident has reignited discussions about the role of religious symbols in French schools, especially the ongoing debate surrounding “laïcité,” the French principle of secularism, which is enshrined in the country’s constitution. 

Under laïcité, public institutions, including schools, are required to maintain religious neutrality, and students are forbidden from wearing evident religious symbols. 

The law, known as the 2004 headscarf ban, has been a point of controversy for years and has gained both support and criticism across France and beyond. 

The point of laïcité, while intended to foster neutrality in the public sphere, has been controversial in its application, particularly regarding Muslim women and girls who wear the hijab.

Critics argue that the law unfairly affects the Muslim community and limits personal freedom, while supporters claim that it upholds France’s commitment to secularism and ensures that public spaces remain free from religious influence. 

Political reactions and public support

The incident has gathered many responses from local and national authorities. Doriane Bécue, the mayor of Tourcoing, strongly condemned the assault in a statement, highlighting the importance of upholding the values of France.

“School is a place for transmitting values of the republic, and we must all support our teachers in the face of this unacceptable act,” Bécue said.

Former Interior Minister Gérlad Darmanin, now a deputy for the Northern region and former mayor of Tourcoing, also voiced his support for the teacher on X.

“While she was simply upholding the principle of laïcité — our shared value — this teacher was struck by a student. Everyone must stand with our teachers and condemn this violence against the French republic,” Darmanin said. 

The assault comes amid a broader national discussion about the balance between laïcité and religious freedom in France. The country has long struggled with how to reconcile its secular principles with its increasingly diverse population.

While laïcité is seen as a pillar of the French identity, some argue that its rigid enforcement can alienate religious minorities, particularly Muslims.