Derby state school ‘makes all teachers wear hijab’ and ‘girls sit at the back of the class’
“FUMING women teachers at a Muslim school have been ordered to cover their heads in class — no matter what their religion,” reports the Sun in an article headlined “Teachers ordered to wear Islam scarves”.
The story goes that four of the 20 teaching staff at Derby’s Al-Madinah free school are not Muslim.
The NUT’s Sue Arguile is upset:
“We’ve had concerns ever since it was first set up last year. At least five teachers — both male and female — have made complaints to the union of concerns about the school breaching employment law. We will now be seeking legal advice.”
Union colleague Nick Raine adds:
“It’s one thing to have a dress code, which we can challenge, and quite another to build it into a contract.”
Pupils in school uniform might well snort with laughter about Miss and Sir being upset at having to wear the school headgear.
The school says it is:
Al-Madinah School is a brand new 4 -16 Muslim Faith School open to all and is based in Derby. The School was founded by the Al Madinah Education Trust…
A strong Muslim ethos will give the school its uniqueness integrated with shorter holidays and longer school days to maximise opportunities for pupil achievement and success. At the centre of our school is a community of pupils, able to enjoy learning in a caring Islamic environment which promotes a culture of high expectations and outstanding performance.
Teachers sign up to work at a school with shorter holidays?
One of Al-Madinah Schools’ distinct features is the offering of an Islamic Studies program, which will include Quran reading with pronunciations (Tajweed), translation of the Quran (Tafseer) and Quran memorisation (Hifz). We will also teach Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), biography (Seerah) of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW), History of Islam, the Oneness of God (Tauheed) and Islamic Beliefs (Aqeedah). Daily prayers and weekly religious assemblies will also take place at the School. The Islamic studies program will have an ‘opt-out’ choice for parents who do not want their child(ren) to be part of it.
The local Derby paper says “education officials have also stayed tight-lipped over whether it was right to give £1.4 million of public money to the city school”
And:
“…Unions also allege that female pupils at the school are told to sit at the back of classes, staff are only allowed to eat halal food on the site and are not allowed to wear jewellery.”
Update: “Stuart Wilson, the acting principal, said: ‘I’ve been told not to speak about the school’s policy. I haven’t received any complaints from members of staff.”
Does he read his school’s own prospectus? He sees no “fuming” teachers:
One of Al-Madinah Schools’ strong characters is the schools extended services program in which pupils will learn independence, self-control, social skills and community conscientiousness. These skills are vital if our pupils are to become self-regulating teenagers and adults.
Unless the big boys tell you what to do, that is…
Posted: 21st, September 2013 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
