Niqab is a political/religious statement. While it can be acceptable for certain women, going main stream with it is just too much. Not only in France or Syria , how many banks in Qatar employes niqabies?not only banks, many government entities prefer non-niqab in the workforce. If it was all main stream Islamic attire, why it's being debated for years now in the Arab world more than abroad ?
The Syrian made it clear that their education system is secular, and they will not cave in for the salafi cultural invasion. You've seen their brain washing banners , where they spread messages among young Muslim women that only niqab will bring them salvation. And women without face veil are naked and exposed for men instinct