The Ministry of Education has directed all school heads to admit students from varied religious backgrounds.

Some school heads have been refusing to admit new students on grounds of their religion, according to a circular by Early Learning and Basic Education PS Julius Jwan

He said the ministry will take action against any school management found culpable of rejection. on religious grounds.

“It has been noted that some schools are violating the religious rights of learners and using religion as an excuse to either deny admission or expel learners from school,” Jwan said.

He said this violation comes in the form of prohibition of religious attire and forcing students to take a certain religious subject.

Violation also includes “denying learners an opportunity to observe religious rites and prayers, failure to allocate worship rooms and forcing learners to participate in activities contrary to their religion,” he added.

In religious education studies, learners have to choose which subject falls under their religion.

For instance, Christians take Christian Religious Education, Muslims take Islamic Religious Education while Indian students pursue Hindu Religious Education.

According to the Basic Education Act 2013, all learners have a right to education.

The Act calls for “protection of every child against discrimination within or by an education department or education institution on any ground whatsoever.”

The ministry said this violation of religious rights has seen a number of students drop out of school.

The circular was signed by PS Jwan and copied to Education CS George Magoha, the Teachers Service Commission Secretary, director general of education, all regional coordinators of education, chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association and chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association.