LONDON – The decision by education watchdog Ofsted to support a head teacher’s decision to ban hijab in her school for children under eight has infuriated Muslim parents, seeing it as a first step toward a French-like ban on the religious headwear.

“If you can do something like this in Newham, it could happen at other schools,” Salema, a parent in Newham, told Socialist Worker.

“That’s how it started in France—a ban at one school. It is a threat.”

Neena Lall, the headteacher at Newham’s St Stephen’s school, had banned the hijab for children under eight last month.

Facing backlash from parents, she lifted the ban. Yet, watchdog Ofsted’s chief executive Amanda Spielman backed the head teacher, claiming that some people are using religion to “actively pervert” education.

Joined by Muslim parents, Salema said such a ban makes Muslim children a target for racism. “This is all to do with Islamophobia.”

The Prevent program already forces teachers and other public sector workers to spy for signs of “radicalization” and “non-violent extremism.”

“I didn’t realize that Prevent applied to year six pupils in primary school until last week. It makes me paranoid to say things that I know are fine,” Salema said.