Ankara allows girls to wear Islamic headscarf at schools

The Turkish authorities on Tuesday lifted a ban on the Islamic-style headscarf at schools, allowing girls from fifth grade to cover their hair in public schools.
Education Minister Nabi Avci told reporters that the change would apply to middle and high schools, not to primary schools.
Beginning with the fifth grade, "everyone can practice this," the Minister added, making it clear that girls older than 10-years are allowed to cover their heads at school.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu referred to the step as broadening of freedoms.
Following a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said the Government was amending the regulations of school uniform, especially one that students should "be bareheaded" during classes.
The secular opposition at the Parliament opposed the step saying it will harm secularism in Turkey.