Hijab Controversy: Governor Abdul-Rahman Reopens Schools

Following the indefinite lockdown of some secondary schools in Kwara state, as a result of emerging crisis trailed the use of hijab in some missionary schools few days ago, the state Governor, Abdulrazaq Abdul-Rahman has ordered the schools be open.

On Wednesday, he directed the ten schools recently closed down to resume normal classes ahead of their West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The Governor, through the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Mary Kemi Adeosun gave the directive on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

The government is convinced that its policy to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijaab in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding.

Mrs. Adeosun said, “This path to mutual respect, understanding, and peace with regards to hijaab had long been adopted in all of the northern Nigeria and many states in the Southwest such as Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo States.”

“As the students resume normal classes, the government took special notice of the plight of those of them preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and hereby directs affected schools to hold at least two-hour extra lesson for all the intending candidates after school hours daily.

The government will provide light lunch for the students until the beginning of their exams while teachers allotted for the extra coaching will get stipends for their efforts.
This is to bring the students up to speed ahead of the impending external examination. The closure of the schools was necessary to forestall security breaches which may affect lives and properties.” The statement added.

The government sincerely commends the Christian and Muslim leaders for their understandings and their efforts to build peace within their respective communities in the past weeks.

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, 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 are the affected schools.