Just to clarify, I haven't read the article, and I'm basing my opinion off the title alone.

Honestly, I have to agree with the mom here. Cultural / religious ceremonies or rituals do not belong in schools.

In a school setting, students should show up, be taught the curriculum, then go home. They shouldn't NEED to do, see, hear about, or talk about anything other than the curriculum, therefore no religion, nor cultural ceremonies or rituals should be in school.

I can get behind having religious or cultural education as an extra curricular activity that students can CHOOSE to opt into, and partake in on their own time. But it should be completely optional, and outside of school hours (meaning students who choose to partake in these things would stay late and do so after classes have ended and everyone else has went home).