Australia: Muslim refused employment in Christian school.

Muslim student teacher refused position at Christian college

by Kellie Cameron
WyndhamLeader
24 Mar 09 @ 12:40pm

A MUSLIM student teacher has labelled a Christian school in Wyndham discriminatory for refusing her a position based on her religion.

But Heathdale Christian College is standing by its decision, saying that as a faith-based school it expects its teachers, including student ones, to support its Christian perspective.

Mother-of-two Rachida Dahlal, 35, has complained to the Equal Opportunity Commission on the grounds of discrimination, prejudice and unequal employment opportunities.

The Hoppers Crossing college where she wanted to do placement said it would not have been in its, or Mrs Dahlal’s, best interests.

Mrs Dahlal said on-the-job training was a requirement of her one-year diploma course in secondary education at Victoria University, and that the college was on a list of schools provided by the university offering trainee positions.

She said she chose Heathdale because it was the closest to her home and her sons’ childcare centre and also one of few schools in Wyndham offering both her specialty subjects of mathematics and French.

“I am Muslim, wear a head scarf, and respect all fellow humans regardless of their beliefs, race, or cultural background,” she said.

Mrs Dahlal said that as a result of the knock-back in February, she had started placement late at The Grange P-12 College in Hoppers Crossing, which did not offer French. She is observing Italian classes, but does not understand the language.

Heathdale principal Reynald Tibben said the Christian school was not the best option for Mrs Dahlal.

“It was not in her interest to expect her to operate in a culture that was different to her own religious standards,” he said. “To expect her to support the Christian ethos and practice of the college would have been unreasonable, just as it would be for me to operate as a teacher in a Muslim school.”

Victoria University acting vice-chancellor Prof John McCallum said it told Mrs Dahlal that the college had a policy of accepting only student teachers whose values were “consistent” with ths school’s.

“Armed with this information, the student decided to proceed to interview with the school,” he said.

Prof McCallum added: “In many instances Muslim students have been successfully placed in Christian schools.”

Mrs Dahlal said she was not told of any policy, only that she would not be able to speak about religion while on placement.

Mr Tibben said the college had offered to let Mrs Dahlal see its French curriculum.

The Equal Opportunity Commission said it could not comment on individual cases because its complaints process was confidential.

At last some backbone been shown, now lets see the Labor State Government Islam friendly Socialist's try and crush this school with their taxpayer funded Islamic Star Chamber.see
Salt Shakers

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Islam can only exist as a DISRUPTIVE Minority or
as an OPPRESSIVE Majority