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| " The Kara is a fundamental part of the Sikh religion. It is not a piece of jewellery, but it is an article of faith and expression of religious belief. " |
Sarika Singh is a 14-year old girl who attends Aberdare Girls’ School. She wears a ‘Kara’ to school and because of this she has been isolated in school. The school keep referring to her Kara as a piece of jewellery and therefore a health & safety risk. However, it is a visible article of faith that represents her belief.
Prior to being excluded she had been put into isolation at school and was being taught separately to every other student, as she refused to remove her Kara. While in isolation she was not allowed to talk to any of her friends and was not even allowed to go to the bathroom without a teacher. She has not been allowed to take part in school activities or clubs after school. It is very concerning that Sarika was taught in isolation because of her beliefs.
While in isolation she was not getting taught the education that she should because she was made to copy out of books and if the support teacher did not know about the subject she could not do the work and was told to do something else instead.
Sarika believes that everyone should stand up for what they believe, and she feels that her school by trying to prevent her from wearing her Kara has made her a victim of her belief.
Prior to exclusion she was not receiving the education that she should be receiving like the other pupils in the school. This issue has been going on since May.
Following her exclusion from 5 November the family with the help of Liberty is being forced to seek a judicial review as the school is demanding she remove the small bangle called a Kara. Various parties have tried to resolve this matter by discussing it and arranging meetings (with the school), but the school has not been forthcoming.
Sarika is very upset and wants to go back to school as soon as possible. She is a good student and she wants to see her friends, like any other 14-year-old.
The school bans all pupils from wearing jewellery other than plain metal ear studs and a wristwatch. Up until the exclusion on 5 November the school maintained the Kara was an item of jewellery. Only after the publicity did the school say it also did not allow crosses or head scarves.
The Headteacher is Jane Rosser and has been very forthright in her right to run the school as she deems appropriate. Welsh Assembly member Leanne Wood has said the case shows schools (in Wales) need guidance on uniforms. The guidance is Wales has been pending for four years. In England the guidance put out to schools on Sikh articles of faith has been helpful and allowed schools and the individuals to come to sensible solutions.
Anna Fairclough, of the human rights group Liberty which is providing legal representation has said: “The school's reaction to our client's desire to modestly observe her faith has not only been discriminatory but defies common sense.
“Unfortunately, the school's uniform policy appears to mean that no Sikh can attend the school without compromising their beliefs.”
Following the Mandla v Lee case (House of Lords 1983) Sikhs are protected under the Race Relations Act 1976 and the school is unlawfully discriminating against Sarika. From a legal perspective it is similar to a child being excluded because of the colour of their skin and is totally unacceptable.
What you can do:
The following web site has been set up in support of Sarika:
http://supportsarika.co.uk
Please support Sarika by visiting the web site and signing the online petition. You could also circulate this link to friends via e-groups, discussion forums etc.
You may wish to contact some or all of the following:
Email the school at:
td@aberdaregirls.co.uk
First Minister Rhodri Morgan:
rhodri.morgan
@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Jane Hutt AM Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills:
Correspondence.Jane.Hutt
@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Suitable emails for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council:
equal.opportunities
@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
Leader of the council:
Russell.Roberts
@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning
Mike.Forey
@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
Sarika's MP is the Rt Hon Ann Clwyd MP. Her email is:
clwyda@parliament.uk
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