WUNRN
ANI
October
5, 2007
London, Oct.5 (ANI): British ministers have decided that veils will not be banned in schools.
Government guidelines issued yesterday state that heads 'may be justified' in outlawing religious dress that covers pupils' faces. But ministers stopped short of issuing an outright ban on full-face Islamic veils, saying it was up to schools to decide uniform policy for themselves, the Daily Mail reported.
The fresh guidance led to accusations that the Government had only confused the issue and left heads 'walking a tightrope'.
It means that schools could still face legal challenges if they attempt to outlaw garments such as the niqab, which covers the entire face apart from a slit for the eyes.
A draft version of the new rules published in March suggested that schools would be allowed to outlaw certain religious dress in order to ensure proper learning, prevent bullying and maintain security on school grounds.
But an extra paragraph inserted in the revised version makes it clear there is no automatic right to ban veils.
"Each case will always depend on the circumstances of the particular school. So, the judgments do mean that banning such religious dress will always be justified, nor that such religious dress cannot be worn in any school in England. It is for a school to determine what sort of uniform policy is appropriate for it," the guidelines say.
Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the guidance was a 'brave' attempt to assist schools on a sensitive issue. (ANI)
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