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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Bangle' pupil is excluded again | 'Bangle' pupil is excluded again |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Sikh pupil who has refused to stop wearing a religious bangle or Kara to her south Wales school has been excluded for a third time. | A Sikh pupil who has refused to stop wearing a religious bangle or Kara to her south Wales school has been excluded for a third time. |
| Sarika Singh, 14, had returned to Aberdare Girls' School in the Cynon Valley after a temporary exclusion for a meeting to discuss the issue. | Sarika Singh, 14, had returned to Aberdare Girls' School in the Cynon Valley after a temporary exclusion for a meeting to discuss the issue. |
| The school has said that wearing the Kara Sarika was breaking its code of conduct. | The school has said that wearing the Kara Sarika was breaking its code of conduct. |
| Her family has said they will now seek a judicial review. | Her family has said they will now seek a judicial review. |
| On Tuesday morning, Sarika and her mother Sinita Singh and two officials from the Valleys Race Equality Council (VREC) held a 20-minute meeting about the school's refusal to allow the pupil to wear the Kara. | On Tuesday morning, Sarika and her mother Sinita Singh and two officials from the Valleys Race Equality Council (VREC) held a 20-minute meeting about the school's refusal to allow the pupil to wear the Kara. |
| After the meeting, Wayne Lee, of the VREC said: "Sarika is very upset and wants to go back into school. She's a good student and she wants to see her friends, like any other 14-year-old. | After the meeting, Wayne Lee, of the VREC said: "Sarika is very upset and wants to go back into school. She's a good student and she wants to see her friends, like any other 14-year-old. |
| "I can't discuss what was said in too much detail, but Sarika has been excluded from school again. I don't know yet for how long, we will find out in due course." | "I can't discuss what was said in too much detail, but Sarika has been excluded from school again. I don't know yet for how long, we will find out in due course." |
| Mrs Singh added: "We are very, very disappointed, but the school has made their decision. That's all I can say at the moment." | |
| The school's head teacher Jane Rosser said she did not want to comment until she had informed Mrs Singh of her decision in writing. | The school's head teacher Jane Rosser said she did not want to comment until she had informed Mrs Singh of her decision in writing. |
| Aberdare Girls' School only allows ear studs and a wrist-watch | Aberdare Girls' School only allows ear studs and a wrist-watch |
| The family argue the Kara is an important reminder to devout Sikhs to do good and not bad with the hands and should not be treated as jewellery. | The family argue the Kara is an important reminder to devout Sikhs to do good and not bad with the hands and should not be treated as jewellery. |
| The Kara is worn by Sikhs at all times and is one of five articles of faith - the 5 Ks - that form external visible symbols as a clear and outward display of commitment and dedication. | The Kara is worn by Sikhs at all times and is one of five articles of faith - the 5 Ks - that form external visible symbols as a clear and outward display of commitment and dedication. |
| The school bans the wearing of all jewellery with the exceptions of plain metal ear studs and a wrist-watches. | The school bans the wearing of all jewellery with the exceptions of plain metal ear studs and a wrist-watches. |
| The 5 Ks of Sikhism Kesh (uncut hair)Kara (a steel bracelet)Kanga (a wooden comb)Kaccha - also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton underwear)Kirpan (steel sword) | The 5 Ks of Sikhism Kesh (uncut hair)Kara (a steel bracelet)Kanga (a wooden comb)Kaccha - also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton underwear)Kirpan (steel sword) |
| The exclusion was taken after the half-term holidays on 5 November when Sarika continued to ignore the ban following a failed appeal. | The exclusion was taken after the half-term holidays on 5 November when Sarika continued to ignore the ban following a failed appeal. |
| The teenager came into conflict with the code of conduct at the school six months ago after governors ruled she should not wear the bangle. | The teenager came into conflict with the code of conduct at the school six months ago after governors ruled she should not wear the bangle. |
| Sarika was taken out of her classes and taught separately for nine weeks from May, pending the outcome of an unsuccessful appeal. | Sarika was taken out of her classes and taught separately for nine weeks from May, pending the outcome of an unsuccessful appeal. |
| Governors rejected Sarika's request to wear the bangle after a "significant period of research", examining the uniform policy and human rights legislation in detail. | Governors rejected Sarika's request to wear the bangle after a "significant period of research", examining the uniform policy and human rights legislation in detail. |
| "Best practice" | "Best practice" |
| Head teacher Ms Rosser said the school's strict code of conduct had been in place for many years and had been established to ensure equality. | Head teacher Ms Rosser said the school's strict code of conduct had been in place for many years and had been established to ensure equality. |
| South Wales Central AM Leanne Wood wants clear school uniform guidance from the assembly government regarding religious symbols and jewellery. | South Wales Central AM Leanne Wood wants clear school uniform guidance from the assembly government regarding religious symbols and jewellery. |
| "I think everyone will recognise that schools sometimes face difficult decisions when balancing the need for a consistent uniform policy with religious beliefs, " Ms Woods said. | "I think everyone will recognise that schools sometimes face difficult decisions when balancing the need for a consistent uniform policy with religious beliefs, " Ms Woods said. |
| Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman said she had asked for the Children's Commissioner for Wales to get involved because she was concerned for Sarika's welfare. | Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman said she had asked for the Children's Commissioner for Wales to get involved because she was concerned for Sarika's welfare. |
| "From speaking to experts in this field, this is akin to asking a Sikh boy to remove his turban, which most people would find unacceptable," she said. | "From speaking to experts in this field, this is akin to asking a Sikh boy to remove his turban, which most people would find unacceptable," she said. |
| "From taking soundings from schools in Birmingham and Cardiff, the wearing of the Kara in schools is allowed as best practice." | "From taking soundings from schools in Birmingham and Cardiff, the wearing of the Kara in schools is allowed as best practice." |
| A spokeswoman for the Welsh Assembly Government said that school uniform policy was a matter for the governing body. | A spokeswoman for the Welsh Assembly Government said that school uniform policy was a matter for the governing body. |
| However, she said the government would shortly be issuing guidance on school uniform policy considering issues including health and safety as well as equality and discrimination. | However, she said the government would shortly be issuing guidance on school uniform policy considering issues including health and safety as well as equality and discrimination. |