Muslim exec backs DepEd no-veil policy

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An official of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) yesterday said there is “nothing wrong” in the directive of the Department of Education (DepEd) for Muslim female teachers to remove their veil inside the classroom.

Acting NCMF regional director Dennisson Abidin said the purpose of the DepEd order is “better learning and understanding.” 

“It might not be good for students if they don’t know who they are talking to,” Abidin said, adding though that he still does not have a copy of the DepEd memorandum and that his statement was his personal opinion.

The DepEd order issued last July 16 and signed by Education Secretary Armin Luistro specifies that the wearing of niqab (face veil) or ustadja is allowed outside the classroom. However, when inside the classroom, Muslim teachers are encouraged to remove it.

According to the DepEd, pupils can properly identify their teachers, thus promoting better teacher-pupil relationship, and that the move supports effective language teaching and enhances recognition and discrimination of letters and their sounds through lip movements.