is ir right for school to suspend woman over veil?

Question

http:/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/60469992.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/60469992.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/6046992.stm

Answer 1

Several points;
Why did she apply for a job in a Christian school?
Why did she not wear the veil during her interview?
How did she respond when the students complained they did not understand her?
Why did she complain about working with 'men' when it was obvious men already worked in the school.
Did she mind damaging the childrens' prospect of a good education?
What is her problem?
Is she looking for much by way of compensation.
She should apologise to the school and to the students.
She should also apologise to her faith for bringing it into further disrepute.

Answer 2

The school has a responsibility here - if the woman wore the veil when she was interviewed and despite her veil given the job - then the school has no right to suspend her at a later date for continuing to dress in a manner they had previously accepted. I do not believe the school has a right to use a 'politician's' view to later 'suspend' (aka sack) this woman. It seems to me this school was already looking for an 'excuse' to get rid of her anyway.
The veil is a religious symbolic mode of dress, just like a yamaka, yet a yamaka is not considered contradictory to school uniform or offensive to school 'policy'..... I can however appreciate that a yamaka does not hide the face in the way a veil does, and in today's terrorist-fear-ridden society the teacher herself should have considered whether she really wanted to or should teach in a non-faith school.
However I don't personally feel veils should be allowed, not from any religious point of view but purely from a teaching point of view - many pupils have a number of problems (particular autistic or special education needs (SEN) ) that hinder their education that the veil may make further difficult - hearing, judging facial expressions, tones of voice ...... all such body language are extremely important to a student/pupil's understanding of what the teaching is doing and teaching. In some cases there is the possibility that lack of sight of the face can even frighten some children - in the same way a severe deformity can - how many people would have let the 'elephant man' teach their children, because of his appearance - despite his being an extremely well read and intelligent and educated individual?

Answer 3

Yes, the veil is a cultural, not religious garment. If the children who were already struggling to understand english were experiencing difficulty understanding her, being able to see her mouth when she was talking would have helped. As I understand it, it is acceptable for just the hair to be covered and not necessary for the full face to be concealed.
Her refusal was not valid, as it is not anti-moslem to request that she not wear it at work. It was not an attack on her religion and is not racist. This whole situation is getting out of hand and it's time that the Muslim community stopped being so over-sensitive about everything, when all is said and done it's only a veil and really isn't mandatory to the faith.

Answer 4

Yep.

Working with kids everyone has to go through CRB checks and the suchlike.

So whats the point of someone getting checked out ok and then that person letting someone else get close to children who may be a molester or something........... and the authorities unable to know because all they can see is nothing except 2 hands ?.
The school would be committing an offence themselves if they had no means to prove a dangerous person was with children (or a safe person !).

Newspapers.............. never any news any more... just sales figures and to hell (if it existed - which it doesnt) with the trouble the stories cause when the insecure start crying foul (form whatever religion is topic of the day).

Answer 5

for the veil alone, I wouldn't think so. You didn't say where you live, though and Most of the western world view the traditional "muslim garb" with suspiction, if not hostility. Is there some sort of comprimise that could be reached so as to enable you to keep your beliefs, and not alienate potential friends and peers? While I'm not saying to just comform for the sake of conformity, you must admit that since 9/11, the world as a whole has viewed muslims differently. While this was the work of a few "extremests" and not the muslim world as a whole it still poses problems- sort of the "a few bad apples spoil the barrell" idea. My suggestion would be to speak to the administration board of your school, addressing both your point, and trying to see thiers. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Yes she should remove her veil she's teaching English which is not a science but a subject that if taught properly requires emotion which cannot be transmitted through cotton fabric.

On a lesser note I have to wear a tie for work even in hot weather, it serves no purpose but promotes an impression that my company demands. Even though I despise wearing it I do.

Answer 7

In America, our system is basically this: "You are free to do whatever you want to do, as long as you don't infringe upon the rights of other people." The question in America is, does wearing a veil in the classroom infringe upon the rights of the American people.

There's a long and a short to this. The short is, if veils disguise the identity or allow the veiled person to cheat more easily, in any way shape or form, this is infringes upon the rights of other people who expect the education system (and competition between classmates) to be fair.

Answer 8

There are a number of questions involved in this single issue.

First was there a dress code?
Second what does the religion say on the education of women?
I am not positive on either of these issues. However you can not change societies and exdpect to adhear to only the laws that don't inconvinence you. Neither should you be willing to ignore one aspect of your religion but insist on others. I don't think it is right but if we only did what was right for the individuals we would be making exceptions for everyone. That is why though I am a devout Christian I do not apose the teaching of evolution in the school system. If we make exceptions for christian thought then we would have to make exceptions for other religious beliefs. Better to seperate them intirely than to be constantly worried about who we will offend.

Answer 9

Why would a veil need to be worn with children
The modesty lark doesn't wash here!!
This is my country and I am annoyed that women are
allowed to walk about like something from another planet.
Emily Pankhurst must be turning in her grave.
Who interviewed this woman for a teaching postand was she wearing her
getup for the interview?

Answer 10

Yes. Schools have a dress code/uniform and if that stipulates that no veils should be worn, either go to one that does or adhere to the rules. Schools are a place for education not to air ones religious or political views. They also have a responsibility to their pupil's and I for one would want to see the face of an adult who pick up a child after a day of schooling.