A staunchly Protestant school in Kesteren in Gelderland province has appointed four ‘clothing coaches’ to make sure pupils wear ‘appropriate clothing’, Trouw said on Tuesday.

Parents whose children attend the Van Lodenstein College have been sent a letter informing them about the school’s policy towards clothes, the paper says.

Girls are supposed to wear skirts and boys trousers with a shirt or jumper. The clothing must ‘bear witness to the difference between men and women’, the letter states.

However, the letter states a number of girls have been attending class in too short skirts, which has surprised locals. The parents of girls who refuse to adapt their clothing after a meeting with the clothing coach will also be invited to the school to discuss the issue.

Not police

The school stresses the clothing coaches should not be viewed as ‘police’. In addition, a mothers’ panel has been set up to look into the possibility of providing cheap alternatives to miniskirts, the letter states.

The Netherlands’ strict Protestant communities have strong views about the need to wear modest and appropriate clothing and women usually wear long skirts and cover their heads when they go to church.

Three years ago an orthodox Christian minister caused a storm when he wrote on website for young people that women would do well to cover themselves up in the summer in line with Biblical teachings.

Women who wear scanty clothing are ‘a temptation for men, partly due to their behaviour, carriage and appearance,’ he wrote. Other ministers have banned leggings.