MANILA: A government directive for female Muslim teachers to take off their veils in class is not mandatory nor meant to curtail religious rights, an education official said yesterday.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued guidelines last week on wearing the veil in schools, intended mainly for the southern Philippines, where most of the country’s Muslim minority live.
“I want to make it clear that the order was not meant to impinge on the religious rights of Muslim teachers,” Luistro said. He said it was worded as “request”.
There was confusion because it was entitled an “order”. “If they feel strongly about it, then they won’t be forced to do it. There will be no penalties,” Luistro said.
He said the reason for wanting the veil lifted was that teachers could be better understood, with students able to see and hear them. The guidelines refer only to “the veil that covers the entire face”, Luistro said.
The ministry said it employed 1,635 Muslim teachers to teach 166,000 students its Arabic Language and Islamic Education Programme, in 849 schools, mostly in the Muslim regions of the south.
22 hurt as bus falls into ravine
ZAMBOANGA City: At least 22 people were hurt after a passenger bus allegedly racing with a motorcyclist fell into a ravine in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on Wednesday. Police said the bus of Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. was travelling from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur and fell into the ravine along the highway in Barangay Tenan at around 10.30am. The bus was carrying 21 passengers.
Rebel leader arrested
MANILA: A leader of the New People’s Army facing murder and robbery charges has been arrested in Catarman, Northern Samar. Police said Bernardo Subalisid Llave was apprehended along G H del Pilar Street in Barangay Molave at around 11:45am. He had held various posts in the New People’s Army, including political instructor of security force of a rebel committee, police added.
Agencies
