LONDON: A state-funded school in the UK has asked the government to ban headscarf and fasting during the holy month of Ramazan.
Located in east London, St Stephen’s School had earlier banned headscarf for schoolgirls under eight in 2016. Now it wants to ban the same for girl students under 11 from September this year, Daily Mail reported.
It is one of the first schools in the UK to ban schoolgirls under eight from wearing headscarf.
It has now asked the government to take strict action against the students wearing headscarf and fasting during the holy month of Ramazan.
The principal of the school having majority of the students from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh is Indian origin.
Principal Neena Lall has requested the government to announce guidelines on the issue with the view to prevent a possible reaction from the parents.
The chairman of governors at St Stephen’s has suggested that the education department should step up and take it out of our hands.
Arif Qawi added: ‘We did not ban fasting altogether but we encouraged them [children] to fast in holidays, at weekends and not on the school campus. Here we are responsible for their health and safety if they pass out on campus. It is not fair to us.’
The British Department for Education said: ‘It is a matter for individual schools to decide how to accommodate children observing Ramadan, and to set uniform policies. We issue clear guidance on uniform and to help schools understand their legal duties under the Equality Act.’
