Coast MPs want school heads propagating religious prejudice punished
Mvita MP Mr Abdulswamad Nassir addressing journalists on what says are rising cases of religious discrimination in schools. His sentiments were echoed by Kwale Woman Rep Zulekha Hassan. PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Also of contention is the manner in which the students should dress while in school.
Some school heads want all students to dress the same way regardless of their religious backgrounds.
Those from the Akorino faith are not allowed to put on turbans in some schools.
Two MPs from the Coast region are pushing for changes in the Basic Education Act to punish school heads who sanction religious discrimination against students.
The MPs, Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita) and Zulekha Hassan (Kwale Woman Rep), are claiming that in the recent Form One selection, bright students were blocked from joining some national schools on account of their religion.
“Students have been denied their right to education because they profess, among other faiths Islam, Akorino, Seventh-day, Sikh. It is wrong to do this because the Constitution proclaims the right to worship,” Ms Hassan said.
Also of contention is the manner in which the students should dress while in school.
DRESS CODE
Whereas some school heads want all students to dress the same way regardless of their religious backgrounds, those who profess Akorino, Islam, Seventh-day Adventist and Sikh faiths have protested.
Some schools have banned female Muslim students from wearing veils, which is a requirement of their faith, while others do not allow Adventists to attend church service on Saturdays.
Those from the Akorino faith are not allowed to put on turbans in some schools.
MATIANG'I DIRECTIVE
Mr Nassir said this has gone on despite a directive from Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i that headteachers should respect the right of students to worship in schools.
“We are even going to take it further. We are not pleading because you cannot discriminate based on religion, which is in our Constitution. Let the students learn in an environment where all their rights, including that of worship, are respected.
The matter dragged to court with the Court of Appeal upholding the right for students to dress as per their religion regardless of whether the schools are public, private or are sponsored by religious organisations.
The dispute has since found its way to the Supreme Court as sponsors of the schools vow not allow the dressing code to be abused.
Early this year, more than six students were sent home from national schools for refusing to remove their turbans, leading to a protest by the Akorino members.
