London: UK’s Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has warned schools must do more to ensure their uniforms respect the needs of Britain’s diverse religious and cultural communities.
The senior Conservative politician says schools should adapt their uniforms to prevent discrimination of pupils from minority races and faiths and avoid breaching equality laws.
Simranjot Kaur, 13, (right) and 11-year-old Prasimran Kaur, (left) who aren’t related, returned to St Anne’s Catholic School in Southampton, Hampshire, wearing dastars | File Photo
Her warning comes in the the wake of a religious row which erupted when two schoolgirls were ordered to remove their turbans on the first day of school.
Representatives from the Sikh Federation UK wrote to the Department of Education following the incident calling for “tough action” to prevent future flashpoints.
In a written reply Ms Morgan said the girls’ case was a “wholly regrettable incident”.
A copy of Sikh Federation UK’s letter written to Secretary Nicky Morgan reads as under:
A copy of reply to the Sikh Federation UK by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan: