Mission schools must uphold dress codes despite worship allowances- Peace Council

The Deputy Director in charge of Conflict Management at the National Peace Council, Frank Wilson Bodza, has clarified that although mission schools may provide spaces for students of different faiths to worship, students are still required to comply with the schools’ approved dress codes.

His clarification follows a Supreme Court directive instructing Wesley Girls’ Senior High School to respond to a lawsuit filed by private legal practitioner Shafic Osman, who alleges that Muslim students are restricted from practising aspects of their religion on campus.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday, November 26, Mr. Bodza cited an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) developed after the Peace Council engaged heads of mission schools across various religious denominations to address recurring concerns about religious freedom.

He noted that the MoU makes it clear that students are not permitted to construct their own religious structures on school premises.

“Mission-base schools could make available space of worship in toleration of diverse religious believes hence encouraging an environment of religious tolerance, values which do not compete with teaching and learning. This does not create the obligation to build a special place of worship."

“Some students think it is their right to have a place of worship. Some schools complained to us that they had come to build a mosque in an Assemblies of God school. If you go to a mission school, I don’t think you need to go and build your chapel or your mosque there. In terms of dress code, it was agreed that the common dress code in the school should be respected,” he said.

He added that the MoU also provides guidelines for students who wish to fast for religious reasons, requiring them to seek permission and undergo counselling.

Mr. Bodza stressed that the Peace Council’s intent is to help mission schools maintain their ethos while ensuring that students can practise their faith in ways that do not disrupt academic activities or school administration.