Last September, Gorey principal Nicholas Sweetman was asked by a Muslim couple to allow their daughter to wear a hijab in class. Although this contravened the school uniform code, Mr Sweetman granted the request pending referral of the matter to the board of management.

The school wrote to the Department of Education in October, seeking direction on this complex matter. When no response was received, the school wrote to the minister again in December.

A reply from the minister's private secretary stated that it was up to the board of management to decide on a school policy, "and it would not be appropriate for the department to direct or advise a school in relation to any aspect of its policy on dress code".

The minister's spokesperson pointed to two sections of the Education Act 1998.

The first charges boards of management with a duty to uphold the "characteristic spirit of the school" as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values which inform and characterise it.

The second balances this with the requirement to have regard to the principles of a democratic society and "have respect and promote respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society".

In the absence of any advice from the Department of Education, the Gorey school decided to allow the student in question to continue to wear the hijab in school.

Mr Sweetman said his school welcomed all pupils and had excellent relations with minority communities. However, he believed the state should offer guidance on the wearing of the hijab so that schools nationwide would have a common policy based on sound reasons.

Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), said that individual principals should not be left to make crucial decisions about the wearing of the hijab as this was a decision for school boards and trustees.

"Wearing a veil is unlikely to be an issue in most schools but there will come a time when schools will be forced to deal with situations when parents demand that their daughter’s face be fully covered," Mr Byrne said.

"Will it be found to be discriminatory under Equal Status legislation if school authorities insist that a full veil can't be worn?

Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe said the subject of guidelines would be considered when the intercultural education strategy was being drafted, a process which would involve a large national conference in September.

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Forms of dress of Muslim women

• HIJAB - A square of fabric folded into a triangle, placed over the head and fastened under the chin. This is the most common style in western countries.
• KHIMAR - A circular head-covering with a hole cut out for the face, which usually comes down to the waist.
• CHADOR - Covers the head and body and comes down to the ground. The woman's face is entirely visible.
• NIQAB - A veil that covers the face and entire head but with a space cut out for the eyes.
• BURQA - Covers the entire body and has a grille over the face.

(Source: Irish Times)