Personally I do think it is not a bad thing to have young female teachers to dress modestly or professionally. Being an educator of young minds is a serious responsibility. A dress code for teachers, both male and female, as well as one for the students at all grades sets a standard, promotes order and discipline, enhances the learning environment and teaches a valuable lesson for the various venues in which adults will have to navigate, like the work place.
However, I am also sure that what the Austrian memo was really intending was a surrender to the forced dress codes of islam which include the abbaya, the hijab and maybe even the burqa (if they’re from Afghanistan). This is quite a different issue as it works to make the public school into a madrassah. Letting the camel’s head into the tent in this matter will soon enough have islam taught in the classroom. The more you accommodate these seemingly innocuous muslim demands the more they will demand.
Moreover, it is not unreaonable to require immigrants from islamic countries to adjust to a more secular society. I doubt that elemenatry through secondary female teachers are standing in front of their classrooms wearing high heels and fish net stockings. (If they were then I would re-enroll!) What the muslims are objecting to is the West’s freedom of expression. It is this cultural onslaught that must be opposed by the West.