The Muslim Caucus in Parliament has called for the implementation of laws in Senior High Schools that would counter religious prejudice against pupils.
Muntaka Mubarak, a member of the caucus, told Eyewitness News that the Ghana Education Service (GES) would implement such rules, allowing students to practice their religion without fear of discrimination.
“We are concerned about the complete disregard for other people’s interests. We are concerned with all of our efforts and the presiding bishop’s guarantee. We’re taken aback. The statement they released has come as a shock to us, and we believe that GES must implement the rules because failure to do so means that everyone will be free to do their own thing, which I do not believe will bode well for our country’s coexistence and unity.”
Wesley Girls’ High School has been chastised for excluding a Muslim student from fasting during Ramadan, which is currently underway.
The Methodist Church in Ghana has backed the school’s position, stating that it “cannot accede to the unilateral order issued by the Ghana Education Service.”
If the GES does not act, the Asawase legislator believes that such changes would contribute to the implementation of sharia law in Islamic schools.
“If the GES fails to uphold the rule, they will be setting a dangerous precedent. I’m willing to bet that most Islamic schools would adopt sharia as their code of conduct. GES, in my opinion, needs to stand firm and follow its rules.”
Wesley Girls’ High School’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in Cape Coast has also defended the school’s decision.
The PTA said in a statement that the parents of the students agreed to the school’s rules before enrolling their children, and that the institution cannot be forced to compromise its long-standing policies because of the students’ religious views.
“The school should not be required to compromise its laws and regulations in order to satisfy students’ personal religious views. This cannot continue.”
“The school’s undertaking was explicit, among other things, about the fact that the School is a Methodist School and that students would be required to follow the school’s rules and policies,” it continued. Importantly, the school’s no-fasting policy is non-discriminatory and applies to students of all faiths.”
Source: ATLMNEWSROOM
