Magoha Issues Strong Directive To Schools on Religious Outfits.
Prof George Magoha, Cabinet Secretary for Education, has issued a stern warning to principals who send students home for wearing religious attire.
On Saturday, July 30, Magoha spoke in Nandi County, calling for educational institutions to be accommodating of students’ religious beliefs regardless of the school’s foundation.
He stated that he had received reports that some students were being forced to abandon their religious dress code in order to comply with school regulations.
“I am informed that there are a few schools that are harassing children because of the manner they dress and sometimes discriminate against them.
"No student should be removed from school because of wearing a headgear, whether it is a Muslim Hijab, a Christian Sisters’ attire or an Akorino turban,” Magoha reiterated.
He stated that disobeying a circular sent by Principal Secretary Dr Julius Jwan was tantamount to defying President Uhuru Kenyatta because the directive came from him.
“Can we agree that the circular issued by the PS on my instructions must be obeyed? Those instructions came from the president and are therefore policy order,” reiterated the Education boss.
Magoha promised harsh punishment for school principals who deviated from the directive, particularly during the admission of the first class to junior secondary schools.
He assured that all classrooms would be completed before the end of his term while inspecting the progress of construction of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) classes at Namgoi Mixed Day Secondary School.
He also requested that private schools establish stand-alone junior secondary schools in order to avoid overcrowding in their institutions prior to Grade 7 admission.
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Magoha’s directive came just days after he apologized to an NTV journalist and the Muslim community for insensitive remarks he made during a press conference.
In the presence of the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, the CS expressed regret to the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
Magoha Issues Strong Directive To Schools on Religious Outfits
