Respect students’ religious rights – Education Minister cautions schools

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has urged schools to respect students' religious rights. He wants students to practice their faith freely and without restrictions.

Iddrisu emphasized that every Ghanaian child has rights under the constitution. This includes the right to express their religion.

He spoke during the 2025 Eid-ul-Fitr prayers with the Ambariyya Muslim sect in Tamale on March 31. He highlighted the importance of respecting religious diversity in schools.

The Minister stated that schools should not have policies that prevent students from observing their faith. His comments came after concerns from the Ghana Muslim Students Association on March 29.

The association was disappointed with Saint Roses Senior High School's decision. The school stopped Muslim students from going home for Eid-ul-Fitr, despite a directive allowing it.

In response, Minister Iddrisu reaffirmed the government's commitment to uphold students' rights. He declared that no school can deny any child their right to practice their faith.

He called on all educational institutions to respect religious freedoms. No student should face discrimination based on their beliefs, he added.

“All schools must recognize and respect every child's right to profess and practice their religion,” he concluded.