Christopher Ssebaggala, Bishop East Head Teacher.
The Head Teacher of Bishop East Primary School in Mukono Municipality, Christopher Ssebaggala has confirmed suspending a Primary Six pupil for leading protests against the established religious fellowship at school.
Also, four other children active in her crusade were each given a severe warning after their parents pleaded with the school for a second chance. These learners had started mobilizing fellow born again Christians to avoid Anglican fellowships claiming they are intended to convert them from their Evangelical faith.
The head teacher informed the school management committee that they are still following up on her for counseling since they realized that she was being misled by one of her pastors, not her parents. He has withheld the name of the radical girl because she is a minor.
It is a norm to hold a mandatory fellowship for all pupils every Wednesday at Bishop East school under the Anglican setting and then on other vital days children of other religions are allowed to fellowship under their beliefs. These include Muslims who are allowed to go to the mosque on Friday for prayers.
Ssebaggala notes that the suspended child had started conducting crusades during class hours, praying and singing out loudly even on days the school does not conduct fellowships.
Moses Kikaawa, the Deputy Chairperson for the school management committee endorses the head teacher’s action saying Bishop East school is an Anglican based institution whose beliefs must be respected.
“Parents and children who do not respect our beliefs should find other alternatives than sowing bad characters among other learners,” Kikaawa notes.
Mukono Diocesan Secretary in Charge of Education Rev. Geoffrey Kagoye says such protests among learners undermines the church and school reputation and should never be tolerated in any church founded school.
He notes parents and other religious faith indoctrinating their children with hate should find schools that prioritizes what they believe in rather than disorganizing established settings.
Julius Mukwanya, the Mukono District Patriotism Coordinator and retired head teacher for Mukono High school says none of the religious founded schools force children of divergent faith to join their schools so they must respect their beliefs.
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