The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed the authorities of Wesley Girl’s High School as well as any other school to allow any such student who wishes to fast for any religious reason to do so.
The directive of the Ghana Education Service was contained in a press statement signed by the Head of Public Relations unit of GES, Cassandra Twum Ampofo following media publications on the decision of the school to denied a female student from fasting during the Ramadan.
According to GES, their attention has been drawn to various media reports relating to a recent occurrence at Wesley Girl’s High School, Cape Coast. It started with a student who requested of the School Authorities to be allowed to fast during Ramadan.
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GES in its statement said, fasting undertaken by students for various reasons and observed differently by the respective grouping has had varied health impliications on our students over the years. The net effect was that students develop various health conditions. The school therefore took the decision, then, that irrespective of one’s religious
background, fasting was not permitted.
Cassandra Twum Ampofo in her press statement authorized by GES Director-General Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa said, it was therefore imperative that to ensure the health of students was not compromised vis-a-vis their organized school schedules, this lang- standing practice had to be maintained.
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“This was the basis for the refusal by the School Authorities of the girl’s request to fast during Ramadan.”
“Having been apprised of the facts of this case, the Minister for Education met the Presiding Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo and some Board members of Wesley Girl’s High School. The School Authorities made it clear that it had no intention whatsoever of interfering with the religious practices of any group of students, but had prioritized the health of young girls placed in their care.”
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They Indicated that, the Minister advised the Ghana Education Service to put in place measures to address this matter bearing in mind the rights of students and concerns of schools on the health risk aisocioted with the fasting.
“The Ghana Education Service therefore directs authorities of Wesley Girl’s Hgh School as well as any other school to allow any such student who wishes to fast for any religious reason to do so.”
“The parents of any such student are also directed to write to the school indicating that the school should not be held liable for any heath condition of the student as a result of the fast.” GES directed.
Staff, students and the general public are to toke note.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
