Governor and Education Councilor Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister of the ÖVP have announced a headscarf ban for girls under 14 in . The law, effective this school year, prohibits traditional Islamic head coverings in schools.
As 200,000 students return to school this September, the Lower Austria Education Directorate is coordinating with school leaders to enforce the new rules. Current legal provisions allow for fines against guardians ranging from 150 euros to 800 euros.
Governor Mikl-Leitner is now demanding an increase in the maximum fine to 2,500 euros for violations. This proposal follows the implementation of the ban, which is being monitored by Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr of the NEOS political party.