Although some politicians' ire was raised over mothers-only meetings, many schools make concessions based on a student’s religion

Gender-segregated school meetings, special washrooms, prayer rooms and days off for holy days are just some of the concessions many of the nation’s primary and secondary schools have been making for students of non-Christian religions.

According to a Politiken newspaper poll of 1,500 administrators at the country’s 592 state-operated schools, around a third have been willing to modify their general practices to accommodate certain groups – in particular Muslims.

‘We just try to take into account what is best for the children,’ said Anders Balle, president of the National School Principals’ Association. ‘And if an extra day off for a religious holiday means that a family will look more favourably upon the school, then I see the move as a good one.’

Politiken took the survey after the issue made headlines recently when Holberg School in Copenhagen held a  ‘mothers-only’ meeting. School administrators said this was because some Muslim fathers would not allow their wives to attend the regular meetings in the company of other men.

The decision was not a popular one for a number of MPs, who believed the move allowed the Muslim fathers to dictate how the school was operating.

But the new survey showed that Holberg School was far from unique in making exceptions to the usual way of doing things at the nation’s schools. Regarding mothers-only meetings, 26 of the schools polled indicated they have also had gender-divided parent meetings, though not always due to religious considerations.

Yet religious considerations are nonetheless widespread at the schools. Around one-quarter have special changing rooms – primarily for Muslim girls, but also for overweight students who say they are embarrassed by their appearance.

A third of schools give extra days off for religious festivals, such as the Muslim Eid.

Bertel Haarder, the education minister, said he supported individual schools having the flexibility to arrange their activities as they see fit.

‘I don’t want to meddle in how school leaders believe their institutions function best,’ he said.  ‘As long as the students get 200 days of schooling and as long as the special concessions do not violate any equality or other fundamental democratic rights, then I don’t believe it’s my place to get involved.’

Haarder did say, however, that if the issue comes down to men not allowing their wives to take part in school meetings, then he is ready to step in if necessary.

‘Because it’s a horrible situation for Danish society if we allow some men to use religion to support that argument,’ he said.