The SHS-Religion Debate: Read the full MoU adopted by mission schools

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana, in a statement on the brouhaha over religious freedom in the country’s Senior High Schools, cited a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the faith-based organisations which established these schools.

The MoU, which was agreed and adopted by Government-Assisted and Private Mission Schools and validated on April 15, 2024, was developed by the Conference of Managers of Education (COMEU), facilitated by the National Peace Council.

It outlined the measures for the practice of various religious beliefs in the mission schools in the country, which ensure that students practise their respective faiths.

It pointed out that students must be made aware of the values of the schools they are choosing and be ready to accept them before opting to attend these schools.

“The schools shall state that no student is forced to select/choose a school against their will, hence the said student must be abreast with the culture, values, ethos, and the rules and regulations of the school of choice.

“... Rules and regulations of the schools should be made readily available and accessible to the general public. Pupils/students, parents, and guardians should be taken through orientation on all rules and regulations, including fasting, religious place of worship, and dress code,” parts of the MoU read.

The document especially touched on the issue of fasting, where it was stated students are allowed to fast in accordance with their faith, but they still had to obey the laws of their schools while they are observing their fast.

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“On the issue of fasting, students should be allowed to fast; however, permission should be sought by parents/guardians from school authorities, and requisite counselling provided before the period of fast commences. Students will, however, abide by all school rules and regulations. Any health-related effects of the fast, on the other hand, are not the school's responsibility,” it added.

On the issue of dress code, the MoU pointed out that only uniforms provided must be respected by parents and students.

“Only prescribed uniform and/or mode of dressing of the particular mission-based school must be respected, and parents together with their wards must abide by the given directives.”

The MoU was signed by the leaders of the various faith-based organisations in the country including the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church and Office of the National Chief Imam.

Read the full document below:

BAI



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