Ruling ... Education Secretary Johnson
Face veils stop girls learning
By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor
March 20, 2007
VEILS will be banned in schools to help pupils learn and to keep them safe, Education Secretary Alan Johnson has ruled.
His decision will affect thousands of Muslim girls who wear clothing like the full niqab.
He will publish details of his guidance to headteachers in the Commons today. The wearing of full-length robes may also be affected.
A source said: “Veils mean teachers can’t see the face.
“It’s a problem for security and it’s also a problem for learning because the teacher can’t see whether or not a child is understanding what’s being taught.
“A full face veil means you can’t see who the person is.”
Ministers will say it is also dangerous under health and safety regulations.
A Bunsen burner could easily set light to a face veil in a science lab, Mr Johnson will point out.
School heads will be told to consult parents before going ahead with the ban.
Defeat ... Shabina Begum, 18, lost her bid to wear robe in class
They will tell parents they CAN uphold religious traditions provided they do not put security and learning in jeopardy. The rules will also apply to faith schools.
But Mr Johnson is convinced there will be no serious opposition to the move.
Teachers will not be covered because they are governed by employment rules.
Mr Johnson will also outlaw the wearing of badges, insignia or other features linked to gang membership.
His action on veils comes after a 12-year-old girl lost a legal battle to wear one in lessons.
The Muslim child claimed her human rights were being abused when she was banned from wearing the niqab in her Buckinghamshire school. But Mr Justice Silber ruled at the High Court that the school’s ban was “proportionate” for security reasons.
The ruling will be used to scupper any counter-bid by Muslim parents. It is estimated that 2,500 girls wear full-length Islamic dress in class in England and Wales.
Shabina Begum fought a four-year legal battle to wear a traditional robe. The 18-year-old took her school in Luton, Bedfordshire, to court after being sent home to change into uniform.
Her barrister Cherie Booth QC — wife of PM Tony Blair — argued the ban was a breach of human rights.
But last year the House of Lords overturned a judgment in favour of Shabina.
thesun.co.uk
