Guidelines for Wearing of Headgear Worn in Celebration of Racial Harmony Day in Schools

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Education with regard to the Ministry's recent guidelines on the wearing of headgear as part of ethnic clothes worn in celebration of Racial Harmony Day (a) whether the Ministry is aware of any public schools that do not allow the use of such headgear; (b) if yes, what types of headgear are not allowed to be worn; and (c) what are the reasons given by these schools for not following the Ministry's guidelines.

Schools commemorate Racial Harmony Day annually, during which schools may have their students wear ethnic outfits. The practice in schools is that under those circumstances, students may wear the headgear if it complements their ethnic outfits.

However, Racial Harmony Day commemoration is not a full-day school programme. Students need to be appropriately attired for other lessons, including Physical Education, laboratory or workshop classes where ethnic gear can have safety implications.

This year, there were some misunderstandings when those requirements were conveyed. The schools subsequently contacted the parents concerned, and clarified the matter.