Teachers need a ruling on hijabs, says former Ofsted chief

SCHOOLS need official guidance on whether girls should wear hijabs in class, the former Ofsted head has said as he accused ministers of avoiding the issue because of “political correctness”.

Sir Michael Wilshaw said a lack of formal policy from the Department for Education on whether girls should be allowed to cover their heads in lessons has led to angry clashes.

He also highlighted concerns that there were 150 schools where hijabs were compulsory, adding that “the country has enormously changed” and that some communities held very conservative views that could not easily be challenged. It follows a public outcry after a primary school in east London announced it was banning children from wearing hijabs but was forced to reverse the decision after complaints from parents.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, Sir Michael said: “There’s something like 150 schools…. which in short make it compulsory for youngsters to wear a hijab – so what’s happening about those schools?

“The country has enormously changed. When heads want to change things, they have now to take into account deep-seated and sincere feeling

of communities, some of whom who have conservative views. The Government needs to step in. It can no longer say it’s up to the head teachers. That head might be faced with an opposition, which says, ‘Well hang on, you made this decision, but there’s a school half a mile away that does allow [wearing hijabs for primary aged children]’.”

Asked if a fear of being politically incorrect was stopping the Government from developing a national policy on hijabs in schools, he said: “Yes, absolutely. There is a reticence, and it’s leaving head teachers alone, isolated and vulnerable.”

Currently, schools set their own policy on uniform, but critics have warned some feel unable to do so because of strong held views about religious attire and have called on ministers to help by setting national guidance.

The Government is expected to come under further pressure to publish formal guidance on hijabs later this month, after the education select committee said it would hear evidence from the current chief inspector of schools about the issue.

Amanda Spielman will be questioned by MPS after she backed the decision of the school in Newham, east London. She said: “It is a matter of deep regret that this outstanding school has been subject to a campaign of abuse by those who want to undermine the school’s position.”

Lord Agnew, minister for schools, condemned the “vitriolic abuse” and “intimidation” staff at the primary school in east London experienced after proposing a hijab ban.

He said: “As the minister responsible for faith and counter-extremism in the Department for Education, I wanted to send out a clear message: bullying or intimidation of school staff is completely unacceptable.

“Our teachers are completely within their right to make decisions on how to run their schools in the best interests of their pupils and we back their right to do so.”