Pupil wins right to wear headscarf

The Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt (German International School Cape Town) decided this week to change its dress code to be in line with the South African constitution.

The school principal, Hermann Battenberg, said the school management, parents and pupils decided to review the dress code following a controversy raised in January by the Muslim community after a Grade 9 pupil was asked not to wear her headscarf at school.

The girl was expected to return to the school on Friday after staying at home for three weeks waiting for a decision to be reached, said Battenberg.

"This week, all the stake-holders of the school, including parents, staff - both teaching and non-teaching - and learners, were included in the discussion and voiced their opinions freely," he said.

"Having considered all viewpoints and listening to advice from a variety of sources, the board has decided to amend the dress code to allow for exceptions to the school uniform for bona fide religious or cultural reasons.

"This decision brings the dress code of the school in line with the South African constitution. It also enables the learner at the centre of this debate to return to the school to further her education, which she had started in her native Egypt. She will receive full support in getting up to speed with her schoolwork."

Battenberg said the girl's parents wished to remain anonymous and did not want to speak to the media, adding that she was eager to return to school.

The public relations officer for the Muslim Judicial Council, Nabeweya Malick, said it welcomed the "progressive and mature" decision.

"We are pleased the learner at the centre of this process will be able to freely access her right to education while observing her right of religious freedom as guided by the South African constitution."

Malick said it was encouraging that the pupils had embraced the concepts of the constitution and acted on its guidelines by standing up in defence of a fellow pupil, even though they had not experienced the marginalisation and discriminatory effects of apartheid.

"This is encouraging and affirms our nation is in good hands and our constitution serves and protects the rights of our citizens."