The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kilifi County have been directed to take decisive steps against 17 headteachers accused of forcing learners to chant Hindu prayers before being served food at school.
The MoE County Director and the TSC County Director have been tasked with taking disciplinary action against the affected headteachers.
As reported by Education News, the controversy erupted after online clips showed pupils chanting prayers before meals in several Kilifi schools.
Krishna Children Foundation supplied the food.
This organisation supplies food to the schools. The incident has triggered widespread public outcry, with parents and faith leaders condemning the practice as a violation of learners’ rights.
Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott confirmed that the scandal involves 16 primary schools and one secondary school, directing the county education leadership to take immediate action.
“As Education Boards, we have told our Director of Education in the county and TSC Director to deal with those headteachers provisionally,” Biwott said.
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The Commissioner also announced that the Krishna Children Foundation has been barred from distributing food in schools across the county.
“We have stopped the Krishna Children Foundation from supplying food to our schools,” he said. “If they want to supply food, let them not force pupils to do things that are not good, as seen in clips that are circulating online.”
Reports further indicate that a teacher who attempted to raise the alarm earlier faced intimidation.
The government has pledged a full investigation.
Parents in Kilifi have expressed outrage, accusing the implicated headteachers of betraying their trust.
Education stakeholders have also raised concerns about how external organisations operate in public schools, warning that such practices threaten the constitutional freedom of religion.
The incident immediately prompted questions over the vetting and supervision of external organisations working within the education sector.
By Joseph Mambili
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