A Muslim school in the UK has asked its female teachers to sign new contracts stipulating they must wear the Islamic scarf 'hijab' during lessons, even if they do not practise the religion.
Several employees at the Al-Madinah School in Derby have complained to their union about the new contracts for staff that also includes rules, like not taking non-halal food and wearing jewellery into the school, The Mirror reports.
The officials of National Union of Teachers (NUT) also claimed the school was practicing discrimination between male and female pupils as girls were being forced to sit at the back of classes.
Al-Madinah is a new type of free school opened by groups of parents or interested parties in much the same way as private schools outside local authority control, but qualifying for Government funding.
The school, which does not recognise unions, is already under investigation by the Education Funding Agency for alleged irregularities over its grants.