Topi topic hots up as government steps in

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education wants a Chatsworth school to revaluate it's religious policy after the school banned Muslim males from wearing topis.

Last Friday, Wingen Heights Secondary School in Shallcross was at the centre of a religious clash when Muslim male pupils alleged they were told to remove their topis (skull cap worn by Muslim males) or leave the classroom as the religious head coverings did not form part of the school's code of conduct.

A meeting between disgruntled parents, religious leaders and school management took place on the Friday morning and the boys were later allowed to return to classes with their topis on. They have been allowed to continue wearing their topis to school since.

On Tuesday, senior education department officials convened a meeting between school management, the governing body and Vee Gani, the Chatsworth chairman of the Parents' Association of KwaZulu-Natal.

Provincial education department spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa said the meeting was to re-establish the department's stance on religious tolerance.

"The department wanted to establish the cause of the problem and explain the department's policy on religion. We recommended that the circuit office workshop the school on religious policy and assist the school to develop a policy which is compliant with the national policy on religion."

However, the parents are planning legal action against the school if their demands for an apology are not met.

In a letter to the MEC for education, Senzo Mchunu, the South African Muslim Network (Samnet), which is working with the parents, called for the school to issue an apology and acknowledge that the incident took place and give an assurance that a similar incident will not happen in the future. They are also calling for a disciplinary hearing for the principal, Gordon Govender, and the resignation of the school's governing body chairman, James Kisten.

Samnet chairman Faisal Suliman said: "What the parents are saying is that if the school said it didn't happen, it would mean the children are lying. They find it really offensive that they are being accused of lying."

He added: "What we are hoping for, is a simple apology so that we can move on. We don't get any pleasure from taking anybody to court."