The country's best state primary school, St Stephen's Primary School in Upton Park, Newham, East London, has called on the Government to take a strong decision on young Muslim kids wearing the hijab, as well as fasting in classrooms, instead of leaving schools to create their own rules.
It has emerged that St Stephen's school, which was number 1 in the Sunday Times Parent Power school league in 2017, has banned girls under the age of 8 from wearing headscarves in school. Parents have also been informed that children are not allowed to fast during the school day in the month of Ramadan, as many pupils may have to sit exams in the summer.
The chairman of governors at St Stephen's, Arif Qawi said that the Department for Education should “step up and take it out of our hands”.
Although there has been requests for clear national guidelines, the education department asserts that uniform policy is for headteachers and governing bodies to decide, which Qawi said is “unfair”.
He stated, “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 school's headteacher, Neena Lall said that these changes were implemented to help children integrate into modern British society. She said, “A couple of years ago I asked the children to put their hands up if they thought they were British. Very few children put their hands up.”
Qawi said that although they received criticism from some families, many were happy with the school's decision. He met some mothers with their children at school. He said, “I could not see their faces because they were fully veiled. But I could see their eyes – which were sparkling. They were pleased we had taken it out of their hands. I always ask, 'Do you want your daughter to grow up to be like you or like Neena?' They say, 'Like Neena.' When I hear that I think we have done our job.”
