Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 10 public schools closed down in Kwara State by the state government will remain shut indefinitely, a statement from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development has said.
The schools were shut down some days ago over a dispute on the use of hijab, a covering used by female Muslims, in some Christian schools.
The state government had asked the teachers, students and workers of the affected institutions to remain at home until Monday, March 8, 2021.
However, despite efforts made to resolve the issue amicably, the crisis is deepening, forcing the government to order the closure of the indefinitely.
The affected schools include C&S College, Sabo Oke; ST. Anthony College, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist Secondary School; and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.
Others are CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam road; St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo Oke; St. John School Maraba; St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale; and St. James Secondary School Maraba.
Last week, the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Prof Mamma Sabah Jibril, said in a statement that it has authorised the use of the Hijab in schools.
It explained that this was after consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the state, including leaders of both Muslim and Christian communities, noting that every Muslim schoolgirl has the right to put on the veil.
This did not go down well with the Christian schools, which maintained that they would not allow the use of hijab in their premises.
Worried by this, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said in the statement that the 10 government schools where the use of hijab is disputed will remain shut until a later date.
She said the decision was taken for safety reasons, noting that “the government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times.”
Mrs Adeosun maintained that “schoolchildren and teachers in the affected schools [are] to remain at home until the contrary is announced.”
