Religious knives will be banned from NSW government schools as of Wednesday as authorities move to close a loophole in legislation that allowed students to bring the items to school.
The news comes a day after Education Minister Sarah Mitchell and Attorney-General Mark Speakman said they were urgently reviewing the operation of laws relating to children carrying knives for genuine religious reasons.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has banned religious knives at schools.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
Ms Mitchell said on Tuesday the department of education has issued advice to public schools banning students, staff and visitors from carrying knives for religious purposes on school grounds which would take effect from Wednesday.
“I have an obligation to students and staff in NSW public schools to ensure their safety,” she said. “Weapons are not permitted at NSW public schools.
“A recent incident made it clear there are discrepancies in the act permitting the carrying of knives for religious purposes on school grounds. This is not necessary in our schools.
The ban will remain in place while the review takes place, she said, which will “consider options for communities who carry a knife for genuine religious purposes”.
Ms Mitchell said she had spoken to the Sikh community about the decision and would continue working with them.
“We are currently working with community representatives and government agencies to understand how best to support students [and to] meet the needs of their faith while adhering to school safety policies,” she said.
Members of Sydney’s Sikh community on Monday defended their children’s right to bring ceremonial daggers to school, saying a ban would compromise their ability to observe their faith.
They said bullying was behind an incident in which a 14-year-old was accused of stabbing a 16-year-old with a ceremonial dagger known as a Kirpan – which symbolises a Sikh’s duty to defend themselves or aid those in peril – at Glenwood High almost two weeks ago, and that’s the issue the government should be focused on.
The younger boy has been charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear in court in July. He remains on bail.
The Kirpan is one of five implements baptised Sikhs are required to carry. The others are Kesh (uncut hair, respecting God’s creation); Kangha (wooden comb, for hygiene); Kara (iron bracelet, for good work); and Kachera (cotton underpants for good character).
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday she was “taken aback” to learn students could take knives to school. “Students shouldn’t be allowed to take knives to school under any circumstances and I think it doesn’t pass the commonsense test,” she said.
“Clearly when an incident comes to light that causes community concerns there are questions about that, concerns that I share,” she said. “We need to have a look at whether that’s still appropriate in a school setting ... to see if any changes to legislation [are] needed.“
More to come
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Laura is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Jordan Baker is Education Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald
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2021-05-17 23:33:20Z
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