Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 2013-01-24

Following the incident where Sakeenah Dramat, 16, and her 13-year-old brother Bilaal were kicked out by teachers at Eben Donges High to remove their head-scarf and Islamic headgear on the first day of the school year on Wednesday last week, The South African Human Rights Commission is investigating the case.  

SA Human Rights Commission spokesman Isaac Mangena said, “We have received this complaint. We are investigating the matter and we have engaged with the department, the school and the parents.” He emphasizes they are against any form of intolerance and that traditions or religions should be tolerated at all times.

Meanwhile Paddy Attwell, spokesman for the department, said an official would meet the parents at the school and the children’s return to the school would be arranged at that meeting. He said he had been informed that the school would not allow them back if they continued to wear their headgear. “We view the issue in a serious light. Schools should follow National Guidelines on School Uniforms on this issue. According to the guidelines, schools should take religious and cultural diversity into account. We believe it is a simple matter to adjust dress codes to meet these requirements,” said Atwell

Democratic Alliances (DA) Helen Zille also added her comments on the debacle. She tweeted, “Helen Zille ‏@helenzille “It is wrong to prevent Muslim children from wearing head-scarves and fez's to school. Probably unconstitutional too. Addressing @bronaghcasey (Spokesperson for Minister Donald Grant, the Minister of Education in the Western Cape)

The Department of Basic Education’s National Guidelines on School Uniforms is very clear on a school’s dress code. The guidelines say, “Schools should take religious and cultural diversity into account. If wearing a particular attire… is part of the religious practice of pupils or an obligation, schools should not, in terms of the constitution, prohibit the wearing of such items.”