Learning at Consolata Primary and Junior School in Mombasa was disrupted on Wednesday after local Muslim leaders and elders stormed the school to protest the administration’s refusal to allow Muslim students to wear the hijab.
This was after reports that the school administration had barred muslim students from wearing the clothing while in the school.
The leaders condemned the alleged move, terming it discriminatory and a violation of religious freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
They also condemned forcing muslim learners to attend church services, terming the move as an infringement of the freedom of worship.
Muslim women wearing hijabs at a past event in Mombasa county.
Nation
“We have to push for our baby girls. We have to battle for our daughters. We have to push for our children and show them the importance of wearing hijab,” one of the leaders declared.
“As parents we must declare that if our children are forced to church again, we will go to the streets,” another one added.
They demanded immediate intervention from the Ministry of Education to resolve the matter and ensure that the rights of Muslim learners are respected in the school.
The incident comes weeks after there was uproar after St. Mary’s Lwak Girls Senior School in Siaya County suspended a muslim student for refusing to remove her hijab.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale called out the management of the school, terming the incident an infringement of the freedom of worship protected under the constitution.
“A muslim girl can wear a hijab and go to school. The courts in our country have ruled against infringement,” Duale said.
Following the uproar, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok ordered the immediate readmission of the student, terming the act discriminatory and contrary to the Constitution.
“There should be no discrimination whatsoever on matters of religion and faith, and it is very clear. As we speak now, the girl was removed from school, but I will ensure that the girl gets to school immediately,” Bitok stated.
However, despite the orders, the student reportedly did not rejoin the school and instead sought admission at a different school.
Basic Education PS Julius Bitok Appearing before a past parliamentary committee
Parliament of Kenya
