Loophole allows Victorian students to bring religious knives to school

A loophole in Victorian law is allowing certain students to bring knives to school, despite the type being used in a recent NSW school stabbing.

A legal loophole allows students to bring knives into Victorian schools.

The Herald Sun can reveal under Victorian Education Department guidelines, Sikh students may be given an exemption to bring knives onto school grounds for the “purposes of wearing a kirpan”.

It comes after the NSW government moved on Tuesday to ban the kirpan from schools after a 14-year-old boy allegedly stabbed another 16-year-old male student with the ceremonial dagger in Sydney’s north west on May 6.

The kirpan, a symbol of defending the weak and standing against injustice, is one of five implements baptised Sikhs are culturally required to wear.

Opposition education spokesman David Hodgett said he urged the state government to consult with local Sikh community leaders to determine the best way to resolve this issue.

“The NSW government is dealing with this issue in a responsible, timely and sensible way,” he said.

“First and foremost our schools need to be kept as a safe place. As such, any knife that can be used as a weapon in a threatening or dangerous way should not be permitted in our schools.”

Carrying a kirpan is a religious requirement for baptised Sikhs.

But Turbans 4 Australia president Amar Singh said the kirpan should not be banned during school hours as it was a religious requirement for baptised Sikhs.

“We wear it when we sleep, when we go to work … we have it on us all the time,” Mr Singh said.

“The laws shouldn’t change in Victoria, we are speaking to religious leaders, to work out what we can do.

“We’re exploring options such as a kirpan that’s mechanically locked.

“They shouldn’t target this religious community based on one event. Sikhs have been carrying kirpans for over 50 years in Australia without any issues at all.”

Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said Victoria should “take heed of the NSW experience” and review its legislation and advice to schools.

“Even with rules, regulations and required communications, this will not mitigate every potential risk if we allow for exemptions, (like) wearing a kirpan,” Ms McHardy said.

“It may not be the student (person) who the kirpan belongs to that causes the harm but access by others remains a possibility.”

The possession of kirpans in public places, including schools, has been the subject of controversy and legal ­contention in Europe and other Commonwealth jurisdictions.

A Department of Education and Training spokesman said the health and safety of all Victorian school students is a “priority”.

“The Department celebrates Victoria’s vibrant, multicultural community and makes every endeavour to ensure that students can observe their faith while guaranteeing the safety of the school community.

“As has always been the case, if a principal has a concern with a student the principal has the right to ban an item from being brought onto school premises.”

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