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Ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools drop ban on mothers driving Ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools drop ban on mothers driving
(about 1 hour later)
Two ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools have backed down on a proposed ban on mothers driving children to school after the Equality and Human Rights Commission warned them that it was unlawful and discriminatory.Two ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools have backed down on a proposed ban on mothers driving children to school after the Equality and Human Rights Commission warned them that it was unlawful and discriminatory.
In a letter sent after consultation with the Department for Education, Onora O’Neill, chair of the commission, described the actions of the Belz sect, which runs the two schools in Stamford Hill, north London, as illegal.In a letter sent after consultation with the Department for Education, Onora O’Neill, chair of the commission, described the actions of the Belz sect, which runs the two schools in Stamford Hill, north London, as illegal.
On Wednesday, the commission wrote to the sect saying its “actions are unlawful under the Equality Act 2010”. The group runs Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass, a boys’ primary school, and Beis Malka, a primary school for girls.On Wednesday, the commission wrote to the sect saying its “actions are unlawful under the Equality Act 2010”. The group runs Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass, a boys’ primary school, and Beis Malka, a primary school for girls.
Related: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect's female driver ban 'unlawful and discriminatory'Related: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect's female driver ban 'unlawful and discriminatory'
The schools had said that, from August, any child driven to school by their mother would be turned away at the gates. The letter said the ban was based on the recommendations of Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach, the Belzer spiritual leader in Israel.The schools had said that, from August, any child driven to school by their mother would be turned away at the gates. The letter said the ban was based on the recommendations of Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach, the Belzer spiritual leader in Israel.
But now Ahron Klein, chief executive of the schools, said the ban was made without the approval of the governors and that mothers would be able to drive to the schools.But now Ahron Klein, chief executive of the schools, said the ban was made without the approval of the governors and that mothers would be able to drive to the schools.
“The headteacher sent out the letter on behalf of the spiritual heads of the community, who had not taken into account the implications of such a policy,” he said in a statement.“The headteacher sent out the letter on behalf of the spiritual heads of the community, who had not taken into account the implications of such a policy,” he said in a statement.
He added: “The school believes that women have a choice about whether they want to drive or not, and our policy is to accept all children who are members of our community, which we have been doing for the last 40 years.”He added: “The school believes that women have a choice about whether they want to drive or not, and our policy is to accept all children who are members of our community, which we have been doing for the last 40 years.”
Klein pointed out that the letter to parents setting out the ban explained “our values may be compromised in [women] driving a vehicle”. But he added that it also said the schools respected individual choices.Klein pointed out that the letter to parents setting out the ban explained “our values may be compromised in [women] driving a vehicle”. But he added that it also said the schools respected individual choices.
And he revealed the backdown over the proposed ban, saying: “However, the message that children will be excluded has not come from the school’s board of governors, who did not approve the letter in advance.”And he revealed the backdown over the proposed ban, saying: “However, the message that children will be excluded has not come from the school’s board of governors, who did not approve the letter in advance.”
A spokesman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said the agency was trying to clarify with the school whether the proposed ban would be going ahead. It has yet to respond to Klein’s statement. A spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “We have written to the school’s proprietors to seek assurances that they are complying with the law. While we broadly welcome this statement, we hope to receive a formal response to our letter soon providing full clarification and confirmation that they will meet their legal obligations.”
Gloria De Piero, the shadow minister for women and equalities, wrote to the commission last week asking for “urgent clarification of the law” over whether religious freedoms trumped other rights. “Our laws protect individuals in the enjoyment of their basic rights and freedoms from discrimination because of their sex and I have serious concerns about the implications of the ban as reported,” she wrote.Gloria De Piero, the shadow minister for women and equalities, wrote to the commission last week asking for “urgent clarification of the law” over whether religious freedoms trumped other rights. “Our laws protect individuals in the enjoyment of their basic rights and freedoms from discrimination because of their sex and I have serious concerns about the implications of the ban as reported,” she wrote.
Lady O’Neill’s reply said: “In our view, the actions of the proprietor of the two schools in question are likely to constitute direct discrimination [contrary to section 13] by association with the sex of another person [in this instance their mothers, when driving them to school].”Lady O’Neill’s reply said: “In our view, the actions of the proprietor of the two schools in question are likely to constitute direct discrimination [contrary to section 13] by association with the sex of another person [in this instance their mothers, when driving them to school].”
Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, has also condemned the ban as “completely unacceptable in modern Britain”.Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, has also condemned the ban as “completely unacceptable in modern Britain”.
Parents in the area have defended the ban, which was first reported by the Jewish Chronicle last week, as part of living within the Belz community. Women rejected the characterisation that they were oppressed and the schools wrote to Morgan, saying the notice had been misrepresented.Parents in the area have defended the ban, which was first reported by the Jewish Chronicle last week, as part of living within the Belz community. Women rejected the characterisation that they were oppressed and the schools wrote to Morgan, saying the notice had been misrepresented.