Schools are not allowed to compel students to attend church services - CS Machogu

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has today directed schools to stop compelling students to attend church services if they do not associate with that religion. The cabinet secretary was responding in Parliament to a question from Nyali Member of Parliament, Mohammed Ali, as to why students professing the Muslim faith in Daystar University are forced to attend the chapel, contrary to Article 32 of the Constitution.

Schools are not allowed to compel students to attend church services - Ministry of Education

In a follow-up to Ali's question, The Ministry of Education wrote to Daystar University regarding the question, to which they responded that on the issue of forcing Muslim students to attend the chapel, the university argues that all students are admitted with full knowledge that it is a Christian institution with its philosophy, ethos, and core values. The university stated that upon admission, students sign a code of conduct agreeing to abide by the Christian values and commitment to participate in spiritual disciplines. The university also indicated that students are required by policy to attend at least 75% of all scheduled chapel services in any given semester.

CS Machogu expressed concern about the university's policy, stating that it requires students, including non-Christians, to attend services, which violates the constitution's freedom of religion under Article 32. The Ministry directed the principal secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research and the Commission for University Education to conduct an audit of the university's policies and practices and ensure corrective action is taken to comply with the country's rules.

CS Machogu's cited a court ruling that was made earlier which in plain language stated that Schools are not allowed to compel any student to partake in any religious activities of a religion to which they do not belong.