Beal sixth form has refused a 17-year-old girl student to wear a Niqab as it violates the schools dress policy and creates 'health and safety problems'. A Niqab is a full veil that covers a part of the face, only revealing the eyes.

Why: The sixth form and secondary school itself is known for "individuality" and "diversity".However, this recent event where they have decided to stop the girl multiple times to tell her that her niqab is a health and safety hazard also that it affects her education and communication with her teachers, but in fact, her teachers said they were ok with her wearing it and she had been participating in class until they removed her from attending lessons and isolated her in a room due to her Niqab which has taken a toll on her mental health. This also contradicts the school's values and aims. It is appalling that the school is far too concerned about a young girl wearing the Niqab. However, they fail to address the real underlying issues like smoking, drinking, bunking etc.

There must be a way to get around this situation: The school failed to listen to her side of the argument where she was willingly happy about lifting her Niqab for any staff member to identify her. The school also has a system in place where they can check their lanyards to prove their identity. However, they were too ignorant to listen to her argument and suggested she should wear a mask which is not the same as a Niqab.

What happened to religious freedom and expression and basic human rights. What someone chooses to wear should not affect her education and mental health especially if it is a religious item.