Quote:
Originally Posted by Deckard
These stories seem to be getting more frequent. Here's one from today...
Any thoughts on this?
Should schools be able to insist that rules on visible uniform and jewellery apply across the board, with no exemptions for religious pupils/students?
Or should there be exemptions, but with a line drawn somewhere? If so, where?
Chuck, if you're still filling time, I'd be interested to know what you think about this too. |
Filling time!! What do you think we teachers do with our days!? Let me just get my feet off the staffroom table, put away my paper, brush these crumbs of biscotti off my hand knitted jersey, and put down my double-shot latte!
My first reaction to this is two-fold.
a. What is the purpose for the school having a "no jewelery" policy?
Is it a health and safety issue? ie. Students will be taking part in technology - around moving equipment - so no jewelery.
Is it an agreed upon policy - by the school board that basically says - "If you want to be a student here - you agree to these rules."
If it's there - just because it's always been there - and if it has no learning reason behind it - then I think you review the policy.
What would happen if the policy was removed - would all chaos ensue - as bangles, shoulder pads, storm trooper outfits and all manner of religious ensemble appear on compliant teenagers?
Or would a dozen or so wear some obtuse or fashionable or morally absolute bangle or hair-tie - leaving the majority of students and teachers to get on with it?
b. What's the point of the parents taking this to court?
That is - now they've got their child back into this school - how secure/comfortable will she be? Has her learning been improved because she's at this specific school - is this the place that will give her the best chance of success?
As mentioned - why does she not wear the rest of the mandated Sikh articles? If it's that important to her - can she not wear it under the rest of the uniform in some manner?
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Big picture ramble...
Uniforms and uniform policies are usually about schools culture - they rarely prevent or ensure better or worse behaviour management. They can be useful for parents - who can budget for particular clothes for students - they can be worn with honour and allow a student to feel a part of something. They can also be worn shabbily and make a school look/feel like shit.
People make judgement calls based on perception - and schools reputations are no different. Boards and principals often make decisions about uniforms accordingly.
I've taught at schools with uniforms and without. I've studied at schools with uniforms and without. Neither really affect the learning that takes place - that's more a combination of teacher-student relationships, feedback, resources, direct teaching and other pedagogical thingamajigs.
Bottom line - I'm not sure what this student and her parents have achieved by pursuing this case.
As a teacher I'm just not sure what advantage this bracelet will give this young person in becoming a confident learner, able to behave in a multi-cultural society and capable of communicating effectively. I also don't know how it will help her succeed at her exams. Which is unfortunately the major measure of success in our school system.
Then again - I'm not Sikh - or particularly religious.
Now if you'll excuse me - I've an important staff meeting that thankfully has a very large tea and cakes component.
