Belgian Politician Sparks Controversy Over Arabic Teaching in Molenbeek Schools

Vooruit president Conner Rousseau persists: "I don’t feel at home in Molenbeek." He had made this statement in a controversial interview last April. "In Brussels, due to the shortage of teachers, there are people teaching in Arabic because they don’t speak French. Unacceptable," he had added. At the invitation of his colleague, Vooruit alderman Jef Van Damme, Conner Rousseau visited Molenbeek, and reiterated the same statement.

"I don’t feel at home in Molenbeek, but it wasn’t a personal attack on these people. My message is that we need to improve conditions in these neighborhoods by investing in language, childcare and education. I visited a Dutch-speaking school where a teacher told me they should find volunteers to act as interpreters at the parents’ meeting," he said in an interview with the Belgian Dutch-language weekly Humo.

The Vooruit president also returned to his statements about the riots that had broken out after Belgium’s elimination by Morocco (0-2) in the 2nd round of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. He had described the rioters as "shit" and "black sheep from problem neighborhoods who should have more opportunities and prospects." "These young people have a lot of opportunities. The problem is that these guys feel untouchable. The judicial power must act against this," Flemish Justice Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) had retorted.

Rousseau in turn replied to the minister during his interview with Humo. "Zuhal Demir says everyone has opportunities here and should seize them. I invite her here again, because apparently she hasn’t understood. Even in this rich country, place of birth still makes a big difference. If you have origins, don’t speak Dutch at home, and can never ask your parents for help with homework, you have fewer opportunities."