MANILA, Philippines – Authorities in the Philippines have instructed Muslim teachers Tuesday (July 23rd) to remove their veils inside classrooms, in part to promote better relationships between teachers and pupils, AFP reported. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the move was part of reforms to make schools more sensitive to religion.

Muslim schoolgirls will still be allowed to wear the hijab on campuses as well as "appropriate clothing" in gym class, according to the order, a copy of which was obtained by AFP.

But while female Muslim schoolteachers can wear the veil outside class, they are told to remove the veil during lessons so they can interact better with students.

Having Muslim female teachers remove their veils allows for "proper identification of the teachers by their pupils, thus promoting better teacher-pupil relationship", the order said.

Being able to see the teachers' faces also helps in teaching language, where "lip formation" plays a role in pronouncing certain letters, it said.

Roque Morales, an adviser to the Office of Muslim Affairs, said the office had so far not received any complaints from Muslim teachers.