Nieuwe leerplannen en lesmethode islamitisch godsdienstonderwijs in Vlaanderen

In Flemish official (state) schools, students can opt for Religious Education (RE) in one of the six recognized religions or in non-denominational ethics. Islamic RE is also part of the offer. Recently, new curricula and teaching methods have been developed for this school subject. In this contribution, these curricula and teaching methods will be analyzed. In addition, attention will be given to the new plans of the Flemish Government to reorganize RE in official schools. In these schools, the default position is to separate students during RE classes on the basis of their religion/worldview and to teach them into one particular tradition. This model is to a limited extent supplemented by common lessons ‘interreligious dialogue’, wherein students learn, among other things, about different religions/worldviews. This model could also be reversed: common classes about various (non-)religious traditions as the default position and separate education in one's own tradition as an additional option. Such a model can be found, among other places, in public schools in the Netherlands. I will argue why this model could also be inspiring for Flanders, both for Muslims and for non-Muslims.