Though matters of education sometimes lend themselves to wider debates of ideology or national identity, it is quite unprecedented for public opinion to grow so strong as to provoke direct action – in particular against the educational institutions themselves.
But this is just what has happened this week in Belgium, with a vociferous minority of protestors vitriolic against a relatively minor policy change that aims to align education standards between the country's language communities. Even more surprising is the subject matter: not a class dealing with touchy topics like colonialism, the furore concerns a plan to introduce four hours of sexual education during a child's entire school career.
The changes had been deliberated among politicians, educational authorities, sexual health specialists, and parental organisations. The case for the instruction – which will only entail a two-hour class in 6th grade (ages 11-12) and another two in 4th grade (15-16) – seemed irrefutable and received near unanimous support from parliamentarians.
However it has been the subject of a scaremongering campaign that has now spiralled out of control, leading to arson attacks against five schools so far. The hyperbolic opposition has been orchestrated by hardline religious groups (both Islamic and Catholic) and has spawned obscene claims that children as young as five will be "hypersexualised".
Despite the best efforts of ministers to disprove the conspiracies by being completely transparent about the content, how the classes will be delivered and by whom (trained specialists), hysteria has been whipped up, first with a hundreds-strong crowd demonstrating last week and now a spate of attacks on schools in Charleroi.
The damage inflicted has affected local communities, with various schools closed and teaching staff at a loss to comprehend how a sensible and well-intentioned measure could be so misrepresented as to almost destroy their places of work. Clearly outraged at the criminal disrespect, the mayor of Charleroi hit out at perpetrators, whoever they may be.
Notably, mandatory sexual education (which also teaches about relationships and emotional questions) is already in place in Flemish schools. Proponents highlight that classes are carefully designed to be appropriate and play an important role in public health in general. Many have pointed out that this is a vital opportunity to address issues that are not discussed at home – precisely because they might be taboo in some (religious) households.
It is obviously desirable that families take an interest in the education of their children. Yet this affair has highlighted the shortcomings of misinformed parents and how entrenched prejudices can escalate. Where will it end? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. From protest to 'terrorism': Sexual education policy sparks controversy and arson
In an effort to harmonise teaching levels across its schools, Belgium's French-speaking Community recently updated its policy on sexual education so that all pupils in certain age groups will receive at least two hours of instruction during the academic year. Read more.
2. 'Brussels could soon be bankrupt', claims senior Belgian politician
A senior Belgian politician has claimed that Brussels could become bankrupt within the next few years and called on fellow policymakers to implement "urgent" measures to ensure the city's financial survival. Read more.
3. Avenue de Tervueren redevelopment: Ambitious proposals meet local criticism
The much-anticipated plans for the redevelopment of one of Brussels' key roads, Avenue de Tervueren, have finally been made public after a presentation by the Brussels Government. However the initial proposals have been met with anger from locals. Read more.
4. 'Unprecedented': Tunisia refuses entry to MEPs months after EU migration deal
Tunisia denied entry to a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on a fact-finding mission on Thursday, organised over concerns for the democratic and human rights backsliding in the country. Read more.
5. Tax authorities carry out targeted checks when houses are being renovated or sold
Tax authorities are using information and photos from real estate websites and other online platforms to check whether the real estate tax to be paid on a house every year is still up-to-date. Read more.
6. Man shot with 17 bullets in Anderlecht, possibly with Kalashnikovs
On Wednesday night, a man was shot with 17 bullets in the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht, possibly with Kalashnikovs. The getaway car was found hours later, completely burnt out. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: One of the best coffee bars in Belgium
Antwerp handles more coffee than anywhere else in the world, with 250,000 tonnes of coffee beans stacked in its warehouses to be shipped across Europe. It’s not surprising that the city has some of the best independent coffee bars in the land. Caffènation is one of the finest. Read more.
