Kisii SDA Students Refuse Saturday Exam, Demand Religious Freedom
Students from the Kisii campus of Mount Kenya University (MKU) have initiated an online petition to prohibit the institution from administering exams on Saturdays, arguing that it is a day of worship.
The petition asserts that the institution has repeatedly disregarded requests from Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) students, who are unable to attend exams on Saturdays.
Students also petitioned the Commission on University Education (CUE) to ensure that the campus complies with the 2012 Universities Act’s statutory and regulatory requirements.
The Act mandates that universities adhere to inclusiveness guidelines that prohibit discrimination against students on the basis of religion and/or faith.
The petition stated, in part, “This matter requires immediate attention to uphold equality and the constitutional right to worship pursuant to Article 32 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.”
“On Saturdays, as Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) students, we are in worship. Examinations conducted on the Sabbath effectively preclude our participation.”
Consequently, the students explained that they were disenfranchised and prevented from competing equitably with peers who did not attend Saturday church services.
The students complained that their academic transcripts and overall performance were negatively affected by missing examinations scheduled on days of worship.
“Sign this petition in solidarity with students who are not only aggrieved, but also disenfranchised as a result of missing exams due to the scheduling conflict,” the students pleaded.
More than a thousand students signed the petition. Kenyans.co.ke reported that the University had considered the students’ petition.
The students had demanded that the Dean of Mount Kenya Campus and the University Administration switch Saturday exams to alternate weekdays.
Commission on University Education had not yet indicated whether they had received or acted upon the petition.
Kisii SDA Students Refuse Saturday Exam, Demand Religious Freedom
