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{
    "id": 1275327,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1275327/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ezekiel Machogu",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Education",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13458,
        "legal_name": "Ezekiel Machogu Ombaki",
        "slug": "ezekiel-machogu-ombaki"
    },
    "content": "I am a Seventh Day Adventist. We worship on Saturday and insist that on those days in any given school, our children who worship on Saturdays are given that opportunity like any other denomination. Worship rooms and spaces should be allocated because this is key. There should be no forcing of learners to participate in religious rites and activities that are contrary to their beliefs. We have attached that circular from the Ministry. It is now for us to enforce. We have an Interreligious Committee in the Ministry to enforce the circular. We normally have regular meetings. After the meetings, some of these concerns have been raised and we are able to disseminate the information to all the relevant parties and schools. I have even gone to the said schools. As of now, I think we do not have the problem that might have occurred at one time or another. I assure the Members of this august House that we have zero tolerance to any such discrimination. As a Ministry, we will make sure that we take the necessary remedial action where we find there is a violation. On Question (b), the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, is clear on this. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion or any belief. On education we have Article 53, which provides that– “(1) Every child has the right – (b) to free and compulsory basic education” Religious beliefs and practices cannot be used to prevent children from accessing this right. It is on this basis that we are implementing the 100 per cent transition policy. Any restrictions will make it not possible for us to achieve the 100 per cent policy. I will request that any such cases in our public or private schools is reported, so that we take the necessary action. Question (c) is on the action we are taking. Our county and sub-county directors and the school principals are aware of this. Anybody going against the circular is doing his own thing. He is not only violating the law, but going against the Constitution of this country. When you go against the Constitution, then you become a candidate of removal from your position. We are categorical and in agreement that it should not happen in any of our schools. Where there might me any isolated case in one of our schools, kindly bring it to our notice. We will be effective and categorical in taking the necessary disciplinary action, including what is provided for in our Constitution. I submit."
}