Education minister said those who refused to change out of the full-length garment, which is prohibited in schools, were turned away
Dozens of female pupils in France were sent home on their first day of school for refusing to remove their abaya.
Education minister Gabriel Attal said some 298 girls showed up to state schools on Monday morning wearing the full-length dress that has been banned by the government.
While most agreed to change out of the dress, 67 refused and were sent home, he told BFM TV.
“In the coming days, they will come back since they have to be in school, and then we will see if they have complied with the rule or not,” he said. “Otherwise, there will be a new dialogue. This is how we will continue to move forward.”