Novum Saeculum Lyceum to open in Gouda despite municipal opposition

Soner Atasoy, founder of the Novum Saeculum Lyceum under the De Ozonlaag foundation, is proceeding with the opening of a new Islamic secondary school in Gouda despite opposition from the local municipality. While the municipality of Gouda has refused to provide a building and requested a delay in funding, the school has received approval from the Inspectorate of Education and the Ministry of Education.

Following a court ruling that the municipality is not required to provide suitable premises in the short term, Atasoy announced that the school will begin classes this Monday using rented premises from a mosque. The school currently has thirty registered students.

Atasoy’s expansion includes recent openings in Almere and Breda, alongside an existing location in Tilburg. His educational model follows orthodox Islamic principles, including mandatory prayer and gender separation where possible, while emphasizing small class sizes and discipline. The expansion has faced friction in other cities; for instance, in Almere, the school had to operate from a temporary tent during renovations following a confrontation regarding access to a public school building.