17 SDA students kicked out from Kabianga after skipping exams for church

17 students from Kabianga High School in Belgut have been suspended after failing to sit for an exam on Saturday.

According to the school principal Dr. Joash Oloo, the students boycotted the test and instead went to worship at a Seventh Day Adventist students (SDA) church.

“We instructed them to sit for their exam between 5.30am and 7.30am on Sabbath day which had not really breached their doctrine or teachings,” he said.

The principal added that he had written to the parents informing them of the decision to suspend the students.

He reiterated that there are specific missionary schools for parents who feel aggrieved by the school’s action.

Parents of the suspended expected to accompany the students back to school on Monday but none of them did.

However, the parents through their lawyer Julius Mongare have threatened to move to court if the school does not cancel the suspension within seven days.

According to them, the constitution allows freedom of worship and every student must be allowed one day for worship, which must be respected.

Citing Civil Appeal No 172 of 2014, the lawyer further argued that there have similar cases involving SDA students but they were settled.

In 2017, the court of appeal ruled that forcing students, who observe their Sabbath on Saturday, to attend classes was an infringement on their right to worship.