Mount Kenya University (MKU) has adjusted its weekend examinations programme so as to accommodate students and staff who worship on Saturdays.
Consequently, examinations scheduled to be held at MKU tomorrow Saturday, August 19, 2023, will also be available next week, the university management has announced.
“The exams will be available on Wednesday, August 23 as scheduled in the timetable at the respective campuses and Open Distance and Electronic Learning (ODEL) centers for any Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) students who may not be able to sit the examinations as currently scheduled,” Dr Ronald G Maathai, the university’s Registrar for Academic Administration, says in a statement.
However, for non-SDA students, the exams scheduled for tomorrow will take place as per the timetable, he added.
SDA church members believe that Saturday is their holy day for worship and rest.
The move follows protests earlier in the week by students at the institution’s Kisii Campus, who initiated an online petition to prevent the college from conducting exams on Saturdays.
The petition asserts that MKU had disregarded appeals from SDA students who, due to their religious beliefs, cannot sit for exams held on Saturdays.
“Any exams held on Sabbath practically exclude us from participating.” the students stated.
The students also lodged a petition with the Commission for University Education (CUE), urging them to ensure the campus’s adherence to the statutory and regulatory requirements outlined in the Universities Act of 2012.
According to the Act, universities must follow inclusivity guidelines that prevent discrimination against students based on their religious beliefs.
“This matter requires immediate attention to upholding equality and the constitutional right to worship pursuant to Article 32 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” part of the petition states.
“As practicing SDAs, Saturdays are dedicated to our religious observance. Conducting exams on this day effectively bars our participation,” said the candidates.
The students elaborated that they faced disenfranchisement and unequal competition with peers who did not observe Saturday worship services, affecting their academic performance. More than 1,000 students have lent their support to the petition.
By James Wakahiu
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