MOE will work with schools, including a handful which have only halal-certified stalls, to ensure that they provide a good mix of different types of food.

It also advised schools to continue to educate their students to be sensitive to the different races and cultures in Singapore.

It said it was important 'to maintain the common space where our students from all communities grow up together and build bonds of friendship'.

The Ministry made these points on Tuesday when responding to concerns expressed by some parents over a report in The Straits Times about Boon Lay Garden Primary's move to allow only halal food to be eaten or taken into the canteen.

The school's non-Muslim parents were upset when they were informed of this rule last Friday.

In a letter to all parents, principal Wan Imran Woojdy said that since the school canteen had been certified halal, children would not be allowed to bring non-halal food onto the premises.

The school security guard and discipline master had also been checking lunch boxes since last week to ensure pupils complied.

About 20 per cent of the school's 1,700 pupils are Muslims.

Halal refers to what is permissible for consumption by Muslims.

Parents who spoke to The Straits Times said they did not mind the school selling only halal food, but they felt that the non-halal food ban in the common eating area was taking it too far.

On Monday, the Education Ministry stepped in to say that the school had made a mistake and the principal would write to inform all parents immediately.

Religious leaders agreed that such moves by schools will result in a backlash.

Mr Rhazaly Noentil, veteran mosque leader at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), said other races will think that the Muslims are not accomodating towards others.

Religious leaders said Muslims and non-Muslims can dine together, as long as Muslims consume halal food.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) which gives out halal certifications has also said that the ban on non-halal foods only applies to the certified stalls, not the whole canteen.

As far as the dining area is concerned it is up to the school to decide if non-halal foods can be brought in.

Boon Lay Garden sent out a letter to all parents on Tuesday apologising for the error and informing them that their children can bring non-halal food to school.

It also said that it is making arrangements to provide both halal and non-halal food for its pupils.