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UK mired in veil debate

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- School uniform guidelines which effectively ban students from wearing a full veil, have angered British Muslim groups.

Security concerns and good communication in class should take precedence over religious dress, Schools minister Jim Knight said.

But his statement has upset Muslims who say the new guidelines are "shocking."

Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, condemned the proposed new rules. He told the Press Association: "Successive ministers dealing with education issues have failed to give proper guidance when requested by human rights campaigners about schools' obligations regarding religious dress, including the head scarf, and other service delivery under human rights laws and norms."

The announcement clarifying school uniform rules has come after controversy surrounding the wearing of religious symbols in the workplace and at schools.

Last month a 12-year-old girl lost a legal battle to wear the full-face niqab in class in her Buckinghamshire school, while a British Airways worker recently clashed with the airline over wearing a crucifix.

The Minster's announcement on school uniforms ultimately puts the onus on schools to create their own policies but with safety and learning being the overriding considerations.

Mr Knight said, "While they (schools) should make every effort to accommodate social, religious or medical requirements of individual pupils, the needs of safety, security and effective learning in the school must always take precedence."

The Government guidelines said the freedom of individuals "to manifest a religion or belief" does not give them the right to do so "at any time, in any place, or in any particular manner".

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