New Headscarf Ban Hits Schools in Austria – Teens Fight Back

Mon Sep 07 2026 17:34:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Austria enforces a headscarf ban for girls under 14 as protests grow. Find out why it matters for students and teachers.

The Austrian government has rolled out a new law banning traditional Muslim head coverings, such as hijabs and burkas, in schools for students under 14. While the coalition claims the move promotes gender equality and protects young girls, critics argue it targets a specific religion and infringes on freedom of expression. Students and the Islamic community have already organised protests and legal challenges, while teachers worry about enforcement duties.

New headscarf ban hits Austrian schools

Austria has put a law banning traditional Muslim head coverings like hijabs and burkas into force for nearly all public and private schools. The spell‑checkers say the ban applies only to girls under 14 as schools welcome the new term.

"A sign of oppression," said Integration Minister Claudia Bauer, calling the headscarf a form of control over girls from a young age. Her statement sparked backlash from the Islamic community and the German‑speaking public who see the ban as exclusionary.

Critics report the new rule could drive anti‑Muslim sentiment and might violate Austria’s constitutional guarantee of religious neutrality. A court decision in 2020 struck down a previous headscarf ban, so the current law faces immediate legal challenges.

Teachers will now have to check every student’s scarf and talk to parents if a student wears one. If violations repeat, child services may intervene and parents can face fines of up to €800 (about £685). Some come in more comfortable clothing on the first day of school – and some are already protesting.

An 11‑year‑old girl protests against the headscarf ban in Vienna, holding a banner that reads "my headscarf, my decision"

The controversial ban sits in a broader context where political debates around Islam and religious symbols dominate Europe. France has long banned conspicuous religious symbols in schools, while Austria’s rule focuses only on Muslim head coverings. The far‑right Freedom Party calls for a more extensive prohibition, whereas the Green Party argues the ban burdens teachers with policing duties they’re not trained for.

What’s your take? Comment below and share why you think schools should or shouldn’t limit religious expression. Stay tuned for our 60‑second video recap there!