school system because of this issue. Among them, 67 have pursued their studies abroad. Another 73 of those 806 suspended or expelled from schools over the veil have chosen to take government-run correspondence courses in order to finish their studies. The number of those who have chosen to study via other, non-government forms of correspondence schools is unknown. The opening of the 2005 school year passed largely without incident, and opposition to the law seems to have given way to broader public opinion. However, the actual number of those who no longer attend French junior high and high schools over their veils is unknown. Banning of full face covering in public In 2010, a public debate arose and France passed a law that bans the wearing of full-face covering, including but not limited to burqas and niqābs, in public. The law was constitutionally cleared so that it came into force in April 2011. That debate and ban are separate from the above-discussed debate on the hijab in public schools, in that the new law does not pertain to Islamic scarves but rather to the much rarer full-face versions, as well as other full-face coverings (such as masks and balaclavas), and in that the new law applies to all citizens in public spaces regardless of religion or claimed tradition (and regardless of gender). See also Anti-mask laws British debate over veils French ban on face covering French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools Ni Putes Ni Soumises Islamic dress in Europe References External links Reflections on laïcité Islam and laïcité Reflections of a French citizen on the application of the law of laïcité Press review on the veil in schools, on an atheist website Associations opposed to the veil Sisyphus Associations opposed to religious signs in French public schools League for Human Rights and the Rights of the Citizenry Left Presentations of Laurent Fabius and Jean Glavany in the National Assembly Presentation of Marie Georges Buffet in the National Assembly "Integration" of Muslims in other countries Islam in the UK Advice from the Human Rights Commission in Québec on the Muslim veil in public schools Independent voices Burka Ban in France: The New Fashion in Civil Rights by Ian Buruma Islamic clothing controversy in France