Kwara Govt Orders Closure of Schools Over Hijab Row
Fierce disagreement at the main gate of Baptist Secondary School Surulere, Ilorin between parents who want hijab for their children and those opposed to it has forced the state government to order the immediate closure of some grant-aided schools in the Kwara State capital, pending resolution of the Hijab question in the schools.
The permanent secretary, ministry of education and human capital development, Mary Kemi Adeosun, disclosed the government’s directive in a statement on Friday.
The schools in question are, Cherubim and Seraphim 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, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale and St. James Secondary School Maraba.
According to Adeosun, “the closure came as a government committee comprising representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities met yesterday to iron out the differences between the two communities and further communication will be issued to inform members of the public on the development.”
She urged parents and religious leaders to avoid actions or comments that may further split the two communities.
Meanwhile, former secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kwara state chapter, Olusola Ajolore has questioned the rationale for the closure, saying COVID-19 lock-down has already kept students at home for a very long time.
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