Form four students from Kabianga Boys High school have been suspended after they refused to sit for their examination on Sabbath day.
the 17 SDA adherents refused to sit examinations on Saturday. In a letter addressed to their parents , the school Principal Dr Joash Oloo stated that the students were suspended for “failing to write an assessment test offered on schedule.”
But the students through their lawyer, Julius Mongare Matonya, gave the school’s administration one week ultimatum unconditionally rescind the decision.
Mr. Monga’are argued constitutional allows freedom of worship and even the Education Act recognizes the fact that each and every student must be allowed a day for worship and it must be respected.
But Dr Oloo in his response argued that he expected that parents keen on their children’s education would have accompanied them back to school immediately.
“We notified the parents through SMS. In a situation where we are neither suspending nor expelling a student, we expect the parent to come over to the school so that we can engage,” Dr. Oloo added.
He however reminded adventists that their are specific missionary schools for the affected parents who may not be comfortable continuing in Kabianga.
He continued to argue that SDA student spend time sleeping on Saturday from 8am to 6pm and he so no problem if they sat their exams between 5am and 7:30am.
he compared them to other protestants and Muslims who don’t sleep on Sunday and Friday respectively.
But the students’ lawyer Mr Mongare argued Dr Oloo off, he claimed that the issue of seventh-day Adventist students has been settled in a number of cases in the past culminating in the Civil Appeal No 172 of 2014.
