Headscarf slip tossed into bin

An infuriated parent of a Muslim pupil who required a permission slip to wear a headscarf at Northcliff High School has compared the practice to that of the apartheid state.

Abeedah Adams wrote: "Wtf our daughter's must now carry concession cards to wear their headscarves at a public High School [sic].

"How is this different from the Dompas Black South Africans had to carry in the past. #NorthCliffHigh I'm am not going to accept this."

Northcliff High explained that the concession card was meant to ensure law and order at the school.

The school's marketing manager, Jackie Todaro, said: "Where we have had parents make requests for a variation or change to the school uniform of any kind such as the wearing of headscarves, growing of beards, wearing takkies for medical reasons etc, we've granted them permission.

"In order to ensure that the child is not reprimanded for uniform infringement, we issue them with a concession card so that any teacher querying their different attire can see that their uniform change is legitimate and done with the permission of the school's management."

Todaro said that Muslim pupils who would most likely wear their headscarves throughout the year weren't required to have a new card made and signed each day.

While Northcliff High follows the Christian religion, the practice is not "shoved down anyone's throat", said Todaro. "We do not discriminate against any religion."

During assembly Muslim pupils had the option to take part in the prayers or not.

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was quick to intervene when he heard of the concession cards.

Lesufi later wrote on Twitter: "The school has just agreed to withdraw the cards unconditionally."