• The CS urged the MPs and members of the public to immediately report any incidents of violations of religious rights in schools.
• According to the Ministry's directives, no student should be prohibited from wearing religious attires like hijab and turbans.
Image: COURTESY
The Ministry of Education is investigating several schools alleged to have denied Islamic students the right to wear religious attires.
This is after Mandera Nominated Senator Mariam Sheikh said Islamic students are being denied their rights to wear hijab and trousers in some schools.
She said this has forced some of them to look for other schools that align with their religious rites.
"Is the Cabinet Secretary aware that Muslim students in some public schools are not allowed to wear hijab and trousers, in addition to the prescribed school uniform, particularly at the Kenya High School and Alliance Girls High School, thereby forcing some of them to seek admission in other schools?" she posed.
While appearing before Members of Parliament on Wednesday, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said violation of the religious rights of learners is also a violation of the Constitution.
Machogu, however, said that the Ministry had not received any specific reports of violations at the Kenya High School and the Alliance Girls High School.
"Following the question by the Honourable Senator, I dispatched a team to investigate the matter and provide its findings for appropriate action," Machogu said.
"I wish to assure this house that appropriate action will be taken to end any discrimination that may be found to exist."
He added that the Ministry issued a directive to all County Directors of Education to ensure that the religious rights of learners are not violated in any basic institutions of learning within their jurisdiction.
"I assure you that the Ministry has zero tolerance to any form of discrimination and immediate action will be taken. Our schools must be safe and comfortable spaces for every child," Machogu said.
The CS urged the MPs and members of the public to immediately report any incidents of violations of religious rights in schools.
"Any reports of violation will be thoroughly investigated and immediate action taken against those found culpable," Machogu said.
According to the Ministry's directives, no student should be prohibited from wearing religious attire like hijab and turbans.
Students should also not be forced to take Islamic, Christian and Hindu religious education.
In addition, learners should not be denied the opportunity to observe religious rites and prayers.
Machogu said religious beliefs and practices cannot be used to prevent children from accessing basic education right.
"As far as education is concerned, Article 53 of the Constitution provides that every child has the right to free and compulsory basic education," he said.
"It is on the basis of these provisions that the Ministry is implementing the 100 per cent transition policy, to ensure that all children acquire basic education and that they progress from one level of basic education to the next."