Denying entry to a teacher into the staffroom

CAN A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL FORBID THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES TEACHER ACCESS TO THE STAFFROOM?

A case came to light of a school principal forbidding a headscarf-wearing religious studies teacher from entering the staffroom without any particular reason. The school director/headmaster/principal is usually authorized to give out such orders and exercise their domiciliary rights.¹ However, such orders or instructions must be lawful. The staffroom is intended for use by teachers while on duty. Photocopiers, telephones and teaching material are stored here and made available to teachers. Official discussions and conferences with colleagues are also held in these rooms, Individual teachers may not be excluded access without an objective reason. Therefore, the school principal may not be allowed to prohibit a headscarf-wearing religious studies teacher from entering the staffroom.

^{1 Sections 4 (3), 14 (1) 3, 15 (2), 20 (2) of the Service Regulations for Teachers, School Directors and Social-pedagogical Employees in Hesse.}