The Education Minister has urged all schools to allow their students to participate in Flag-raising ceremonies, school assemblies, form times/periods and morning devotion.
Filipe Bole said that these are important morning programs to remind students of who they are, guide them into the day's activities and motivate them to do well in school.
He said that to deny students this right by instructing them not to take part in these programs is simply uncalled for, and those found doing so can be taken to task.
Bole made these comments while visiting the Lamiti Malawai District School in Gau, last week, where he found that a religious faction in Lamiti and Malawai have stopped their children from taking part in these morning programs, especially the flag raising ceremony and morning devotion.
While the Minister had clarified the Ministry's stand on this issue, he has also informed the Head Teacher that he has the power to ask these parents to find another school for their children if they do not wish to abide by the school's programs.
However, Bole requested the school to solve this issue in an amicable manner so that students are not victimised because of parents' religious convictions.
Story by: Sneh Chaudhry
