Kwara Extends Closure Of 10 Schools Over Hijab Controversy

Kwara State Government on Monday announced the extension of the closure of 10 Government Secondary Schools in Ilorin, where the use of hijab is disputed till further notice. 

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Kemi Adeosun made this known in a statement made available to newsmen. 

AllNews had reported that the government shut the 10 schools belonging to some Christian Missions in the state on February 19, 2021, following a crisis on the wearing of Hijab by Muslim female students who are attending the schools.

Recall that the government of the state had said that it approved the wearing of Hijab in all government grant-aided public schools in the state and directed that the schools be reopened today (Monday, March 8, 2021)

According to Adeosun,  the schools earlier told to reopen on Monday, will remain shut, adding that the decision was taken for safety reasons.

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The statement read, “Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development wishes to inform members of the public that the 10 government schools where the use of hijaab is disputed will remain shut until a later date. “This decision has been taken for safety reasons.

“A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, listed the schools to include C&S College Sabo Oke, ST. Anthony College, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam, 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.

“The government, therefore, directs school children and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until the contrary is announced. The government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times.”