SRINAGAR — Amid raging debate over hijab in different parts of the country, a school in Baramulla district in North Kashmir asked its staff to remove hijab during school hours so that “students can feel comfortable and are forthcoming to interact with teachers.”
The circular was issued by the administration of the Dagger Parivaar School meant for disabled children.
The school is run by the Indian Army along with a Pune-based non-governmental organisation called Indrani Balan Foundation.
The circular issued by the Principal Dagger Parivaar School reads, “Parivaar School is a place to learn and grow emotionally & morally. As the staff of the school, the main purpose is to provide for the fullest possible development of each learner. For the same, the trust must be established with the students to make them feel welcome, safe & happy. The staff is hereby instructed to avoid Hijab during school hours, so that students can feel comfortable and are forthcoming to interact with teachers & staff.”
“A teacher has done a mistake and created a controversy,” the official said.
The circular was widely condemned on social media.
An official of the school has said that the circular was not about hijab but about niqab (veil) and students studying in the school need a significant physical interaction as they are differently-abled ones.