Swedish Anti-Discrimination Agency Condemns School Policy Affecting Fasting Students
Swedish Anti-Discrimination Agency Condemns School Policy Affecting Fasting Students
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Sweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has criticized an independent primary school in Botkyrka municipality for a policy that prevented fasting students from being referred to the school nurse if they experienced health difficulties during fasting.
According to Swedish news outlet Mitt i, the case began after the school sent a message to parents outlining procedures for students who were fasting. The message stated that students experiencing health problems while fasting would be referred to their parents rather than receiving support from the school nurse.
The school also asked parents to provide the names of students who planned to fast, a request that drew further objections from the anti-discrimination authority.
After reviewing the case, the Equality Ombudsman concluded that collecting the names of fasting students could effectively mean registering and categorizing students based on information connected to their religious practices. The agency also determined that denying fasting students equal access to school health services violated Sweden’s ban on discrimination.
The school rejected claims that its message was offensive but acknowledged that the wording was inappropriate and may have made some students and families feel blamed or judged. The school said it needed to review how it communicated issues related to student fasting.
The case has renewed discussion in Sweden over equal access to educational and health services regardless of students’ religious beliefs and practices, particularly in schools serving diverse communities.
