Schools are no longer allowed to ask parents to reject homosexuality, says Kamer

A majority of the parties in the House of Representatives want to end as soon as possible the possibility that schools have to oblige parents to distance themselves from homosexuality.

Today there was a debate about how schools fulfill their citizenship mandate. Two fundamental rights clash here: there is a prohibition of discrimination, but there is also freedom of education and religion.

MPs asked critical questions about reformed schools, which may require parents to sign a statement rejecting a homosexual lifestyle.

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Schools have the right to ask for that statement, said Minister Arie Slob in the Lower House. This stems from the freedom of education and the freedom of religion. At the same time, schools are obliged to provide a safe climate for all students.

At odds with citizenship assignment

According to a majority of MPs, it is unacceptable that schools ask parents to sign such a statement. According to the parties, it is “at odds with the citizenship mandate of schools”.

“I expect Slob to put an end to these kinds of statements as soon as possible,” said SP member Peter Kwint, who submitted the motion. “As a school you cannot have the task of creating a safe environment for students and at the same time require a statement to parents rejecting homosexuality. That makes it less safe for students both at school and at home.”

The SP, D66, PvdA, GroenLinks and the VVD want the cabinet to urgently end the statements in question. Now that the VVD supports the motion, there is a majority in parliament (87 seats) in favor of the proposal.

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