English schools ordered to close for other 'FAITHS' holy Festivals

**isanyokel** · 19-10-2009, 07:25 PM

Only England would impose these school holidays without consultation with
schools or parents.Would Thailand close their schools for Christmas Day....NO
and indeed why should they!!!!!!

I suppose Councillor Liaquat Ali knows best.

The schools told: Shut for three more holy festivals

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:03 AM on 19th October 2009

Schools are being ordered to close on Muslim, Hindu and Sikh holy days despite objections from teachers.
The directive by two London councils means the schools must shut for the annual celebrations of Eid-Ul-Fitr, Diwali and Guru Nanak's birthday in addition to the traditional Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter.
The policy even affects schools with only a small number of Muslim, Hindu or Sikh pupils.

Celebration: Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated around the world

Headteachers have complained about the enforced holidays, arguing they should decide if the religious dates are marked with days off.
The controversy surrounds Waltham Forest and Newham councils, which have publicised their school calendars for Autumn 2009-2010.
They both told schools to take off September 21 for Eid-Ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
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Diwali, which is celebrated by Hindus, was also included in the calendar as a holiday, but this year it fell on Saturday October 17.
Guru Nanak's birthday is scheduled for a holiday on November 2. It is celebrated by Sikhs and Nanak's teachings form a central part of their scripture.
The policy in Waltham Forest affects all community primary and secondary schools in the borough, but not Church of England or Catholic schools.
A review of the policy has begun after complaints from schools. Rachel MacFarlane, head of Walthamstow School for Girls, said the school is 'frustrated' by the holiday requirements.
Councillor Liaquat Ali, Cabinet member for children and young people in Waltham Forest, said it was important to teach children about different cultures and backgrounds 'as much as possible'.

Nobody was available to comment from Newham Council yesterday.

Read more: The schools told: Shut for three more holy festivals | Mail Online

**The Fresh Prince** · 19-10-2009, 07:29 PM

Schools not exactly hard so a few more days off here and there won't effect their education. Why not take the Buddhist ones as well whilst their at it?

I bet the kids are happy!

Dan · 19-10-2009, 07:31 PM

I bet the pupils are distraught over this news.

---

Bollocks. Too slow.

**jandajoy** · 19-10-2009, 07:35 PM

IMHO all schools should respect ALL religous holidays of ALL faiths.

Paid holidays for teachers for every religous holiday known to man.

Where there be doubt as to the veracity of a particular sect or cult, they should be given the benefit of the doubt. After all, who caqn prove otherwise?

So, "YES" says I, paid holidays for all teachers for every fokin holiday these nutters can come up with. EXCELLENT.

**isanyokel** · 19-10-2009, 07:44 PM

JANDAJOY,

Your post has just made laugh out loud,the other half is still looking at me!!!!

BRILLIANT.

**crazy dog** · 19-10-2009, 08:43 PM

Next the witches, devil worshipers, Scientologists and other nuts will be demanding their uuuhman rights in having their own crazy days respected.

**NickA** · 19-10-2009, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by isanyokel

The policy even affects schools with only a small number of Muslim, Hindu or Sikh pupils.

...and how many church going christians?

What's the problem, take all the holidays off, it's great, unless you're a retarded moaning daily mail reader.

Fok it, I'll start an atheist school that stays open 365 days a year

**killerbees** · 19-10-2009, 11:19 PM

OP: actually, some Thai schools do close for Christmas: the Christian ones.

**Jet Gorgon** · 20-10-2009, 04:59 AM

Do they still get to close for Christmas and Easter?

Dan · 20-10-2009, 08:07 AM

No but if they're well behaved pupils can spend the time at a madrasa doing intensive Koranic studies, instead of going to class.

**crazy dog** · 20-10-2009, 09:33 AM

intensive brain washing you mean

**Rural Surin** · 20-10-2009, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Schools not exactly hard so a few more days off here and there won't effect their education. Why not take the Buddhist ones as well whilst their at it?

I bet the kids are happy!

Exactly. Certainly wouldn't be a detriment towards the odd holiday or three. I do believe that this warm and fuzzy political correctness {in some cultures} tends to become rather ridiculous in it's broader theme.

**Rural Surin** · 20-10-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by crazy dog

intensive brain washing you mean

Quite universal....yes?

**the dogcatcher** · 20-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Just had a Google and counted about 134 religious holiday days and festivals thoughout the year. Where could this end?

**Soi Source** · 20-10-2009, 10:13 AM

A more ignorant generation and perm hols for JJ

Dan · 20-10-2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Soi Source

perm hols for JJ

Jews for Jesus? They'd do OK, for sure.

**Rural Surin** · 20-10-2009, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Soi Source

A more ignorant generation and perm hols for JJ

..on the assumption that 'we' have evolved?

**Norton** · 20-10-2009, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

134 religious holiday days and festivals thoughout the year. Where could this end?

It will end a big increase in the number of school days per year in the US.

Students attend school around six hours per day with number of school days on state average about 170 per year.

**the dogcatcher** · 20-10-2009, 11:20 AM

Just looked at pagan and one or two more fridge groups. Found another 30 odd days. One or two pagans line up with christian ones. Synod of Whitby and all that.

**Digitalwolf** · 20-10-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by crazy dog

Next the witches, devil worshipers, Scientologists and other nuts will be demanding their uuuhman rights in having their own crazy days respected.

AGREE.

I don't have a GIF for the world going to Hell in a hand basket. But if I did I would place it...

~ HERE ~

**StrontiumDog** · 20-10-2009, 12:26 PM

I wish I was still at school....

Ahh dreams...

**puppy** · 20-10-2009, 01:26 PM

The UK is a joke now. Children go to school to learn, not to take as many holidays as possible.

We need a Conservative government now like never before.

New Labour was a lie, they really should be called the Loony Left.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Schools not exactly hard so a few more days off here and there won't effect their education. Why not take the Buddhist ones as well whilst their at it?

I bet the kids are happy!

**Smithson** · 20-10-2009, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by isanyokel

Schools are being ordered to close on Muslim, Hindu and Sikh holy days despite objections from teachers.

What sort of idiots do you have teaching in UK schools? Only a fool objects to a paid day off.

**crippen** · 20-10-2009, 01:38 PM

Should close for all of Lent and Ramadam too.

**Smithson** · 20-10-2009, 02:07 PM

Wish they had this when I was a kid. Most Australian's voted against becoming a republic for fear of not getting a holiday for the Queen's B'day.

We were told they'd give us a Republic Day, but no one wanted to take the risk.

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