School Heads Warned Against Violating Students’ Religious Rights.
School administrators have been warned not to violate students’ religious rights. According to Education PS Julius Jwan, some schools use religion to either deny admission or expel students.
He cited the prohibition on students wearing religious attire such as hijab and turbans, as well as the requirement that students take Islamic Religious Education, Christian Religious Education, and Hindu Religious Education.
Other violations include denying students the opportunity to observe religious rites and prayers, failing to provide worship rooms or spaces, and forcing students to participate in religious activities that go against their beliefs.
According to the PS, the constitution recognizes that Kenyans come from diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, and the law expounds on the importance of respecting these differences.
Students in a prayer session
Jwan’s circular was issued after atheists raised the issue. Atheists in Kenya Society asked Education CS George Magoha in a letter last week to prohibit compulsory prayers and religious rites.
AKS stated that it had received student complaints about mandatory church services on Sundays.
The AKS president Harrison Mumia said the most recent complaint came from a student at Kinjo Mixed Day Secondary School in Meru. He believes that mandatory prayers in public schools should be reconsidered.
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“Organised mandatory prayer and religious observance in public school settings, whether in the classroom or at a school sponsored event, is unconstitutional,” Mumia added.
According to the PS, violations of religious rights in schools have a negative impact because some students drop out.
Atheists Kenya President Harrison Mumia (Twitter)
School Heads Warned Against Violating Students’ Religious Rights
