Sheikh Abdala Farsy students to resume classes

By EUGENE OMILO

The Shariff Nassir Foundation has come to the rescue of more than 100 Form 4 students of Al Farsy secondary school in Mvita who were sent home early last week owing to religious differences in the school amongst the teaching staff.

The students were sent home after a scuffle in the school which saw enraged students attack a teacher who allegedly abused Prophet Mohammed during a lesson.

The Foundation has partnered with Istiqama Tuition centre to offer coaching to form four students who are expected to start their national exams in one week's time.

 “We want to stay clear of the stand off but our concern is to the exam candidates whom we feel will be affected if the school remains closed for longer,” said the foundation’s chairman Mr. Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir after paying a courtesy call to the institution.

He said the partnership will see the tuition centre post private teachers in all subjects to teach the students until the situation is resolved.

The teachers will be paid by the Foundation.

Istiqama director Mwenye Omar said his institution has qualified teachers who will be of great benefit to the students.He said many learners have great trust in the institution's capacity having successfully conducted a free tuition centre for a large number of students during the recent teachers' strike.

"We thank the Shariff Nassir Foundation for their support, we will play our part to uplift better performance in national exams for our candidates," he said.  

At the same time, Mr. Nassir called on the police to get to the bottom of the claims that members of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) are planning to disrupt national examinations.

"We understand MRC has distanced itself from these allegations but what we are saying is that the source of this information is the police and if there is any iota of truth in it then we want to see those behind the plans arrested so that our candidates are assured of their security while writing their examinations.

Mr. Nassir also brushed off remarks by nominated MP Sheikh Mohamed Dor who said yesterday that there is no problem for wealthy businessmen and politicians to fund MRC activities terming the remarks as populist.

He said anyone resident at the Coast identifies with the core issues affecting the Coastal populace including landlessness and marginalization but all remain opposed to criminal activities being used to propel the secessionist ideals.

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