Educational instts asked not to force

The education ministry yesterday directed the authorities concerned of all educational institutions not to force female students to wear borkha (veil) or religious attire at the institutions.
The ministry, in a circular, also asked them not to prevent the female students from participating in sports and cultural activities.
Forcing the female students to wear veil or religious dress and preventing them from participating in sports and cultural activities would be considered as "misconduct", said the circular, signed by Education Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman.
No female student can be repressed, harassed or given any punishment for not wearing veil, the circular added.
It also directed the heads of the educational institutions and their management committees to take necessary steps in this regard.
Asked whether the directive would be applicable for madrasas, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told The Daily Star that the circular is applicable to all educational institutions including madrasas.
The circular was issued following the news items published in different newspapers saying that women students were forced to wear veils and religious dresses at some government and private educational institutions across the country.
The departments, directorates or education boards under the education ministry will take legal actions through investigation if any complaint concerning violation of the directive is found, it said.
Earlier on August 22, the High Court issued a suo moto order directing the government to ensure that no woman is forced to wear veil or religious attire at the educational institutions and offices across the country.