Switzerland, maybe the only country in Europe without it’s head completely up it’s wazoo.
OK this is the contrarian argument, I am uncomfortable with the state ordering people to do things they are uncomfortable with, from taxation to conscription there needs to be a damn good reason why the state should force you to do something you would ordinarily prefer not to.
So, in this case the handshake. Now the immediate question is the problem the kid has, is he disrespecting the teacher? If so then he needs to get a lesson in manners. I mean by that is he loafing with his hands in his pockets refusing to make eye contact?
However, as anyone who has been to a Muslim country will know, people are actually very respectful toward each other (OK with the exception of the head choppers and self-detonators, the ordinary run-of-the mill people) and particularly toward people who are senior to them, especially teachers.
In Muslim countries no student would ever shake his teacher’s hand, not because of gender issues but because that would imply they were equal to their teacher, which they most certainly are not.
So it is very simple tell the kid to respect his teacher in the way that he knows damn well how to do without offending his teacher. If the teacher is male he grasps the teacher’s hand, bows his head and presses the teacher’s hand to his forehead. If the teacher is female he presses his hands together in front of his chest, extended toward the teacher, bows his head and then touches his heart with his right hand.
He has displayed correct, and indeed subservient, deference to his teacher, she has received the proper respect due to her and no one could possibly object or imply the kid was insulting her.
If he can’t do that then kick his ass out of the class.
Islam is a war plan.
Why doesn’tnthe school simply kick them out. Who is in charge - the students or the administration?