Salvation Army in Hong Kong to probe complaint against school over Muslim pupil, staff member barred from wearing headscarves
- Primary Four pupil told to remove ‘unhygienic’ headscarf, teaching assistant says in complaint
- Education Bureau wants a report, advises school to heed Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination laws
The Salvation Army has pledged to probe a complaint against one of its schools in Hong Kong after a senior teacher and the principal were accused of telling a Muslim pupil she could not wear a headscarf, or hijab, in school.
A female Muslim teaching assistant who decided to support the pupil by wearing a headscarf herself was likewise allegedly told to remove it. The senior teacher and principal have also been accused of making discriminatory remarks.
The Education Bureau said The Salvation Army Centaline Charity Fund School in Chai Wan had been told to submit an investigation report and handle the case according to the city’s race discrimination laws, while the Equal Opportunities Commission reminded schools to take into account pupils’ cultural and religious practices when implementing rules on uniforms.
The Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau, an established Christian church and charity, runs four primary schools, one secondary school, and several nurseries and kindergartens in the city.
Responding on behalf of the Chai Wan school, a spokeswoman for the church said it took all allegations of discrimination seriously and would carry out a thorough investigation.