A narrow majority of MPs have backed a motion stating that the constitutional ban on discrimination takes precedence over the freedom to establish faith-based schools.

The proposal, put forward by VVD MP Arend Kisteman, calls on the government to examine how Article 1 of the constitution can “never be violated by the ideological character of a school”.

The move follows concerns about teaching practices at some religious schools, including Christian and Islamic institutions, where pupils may be told that women are not equal to men and that homosexuality is a sin.

CDA leader Henri Bontenbal ran into trouble during the election campaign after seeing footage of a pupil at a strict Protestant school who had been told he could be gay but must not behave as if he was. Bontenbal said at the time he would not interfere in schools that teach that homosexual relationships are wrong, but later apologised for his comments.

Tuesday’s motion said that schools must be able to maintain a distinct identity, but that this “must never lead to exclusion or to limiting the freedom, equality or safety of pupils”.

The motion passed by a narrow margin after a roll-call vote: 72 MPs voted in favour, 70 against. Opposition came from Christian parties CDA, SGP and ChristenUnie, as well as far right parties PVV and JA21, and Denk.

Opponents of the motion argue that it is wrong in principle to rank constitutional rights. The freedom of education is guaranteed in Article 23, they say and that all constitutional rights are equally important even though tensions between rights are sometimes unavoidable.

Diederik van Dijk from the fundamentalist Protestant SGP said the motion amounts to discarding “classic freedoms”, calling it “a new low point”.

ChristenUnie and JA21 also criticised the VVD for proposing what they called an “illiberal” measure. “If the VVD can no longer tolerate differences of opinion, I am deeply concerned about its understanding of freedom and democracy,” said ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder.

Caretaker education minister Koen Becking has promised to send parliament a letter in the spring outlining how Articles 1 and 23 relate to each other. Opponents of the motion say they hope he will conclude that no changes are necessary.

According to research by Nieuwsuur, the Netherlands has 186 schools which take the Bible literally, three Jewish schools, five Hindustani schools and 80 Islamic schools, all but two of which are primary level.