.... St Stephen’s Primary School in east London has been at the centre of media attention after its ban on young pupils wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan. I have seen the vitriolic abuse on social media after this decision and read of the intimidation of staff, resulting in the resignation of the chairman of governors.
.... We want to do all we can to help schools on sensitive issues, such as those thrown up by this case, and we will be working closely with school leaders and sector organisations on how we can support them.
Schools must continue to make decisions in the best interests of their pupils, in line with the law and in discussion with parents — and we will always protect their right to make these decisions.
As members of society, we all have a role to play in exemplifying the very values we are promoting to our young people to help protect them from extremist views. If we fail to do so, the price is not only the loss of great head teachers and governors, but the undermining of all our efforts to create a cohesive society, one of the most vital strands of our British way of life. [The Times (£)] Read more
