Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
By Abasifreke Effiong
The Kwara state government has shutdown 10 schools indefinitely for refusing to enforce use of Hijaab. The affected schools are dominated by Christian students.
Kwara state government recently announced plans to make the use of Hijaab compulsory in all schools across the state, a decision the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, vehemently opposed, arguing that making wearing of Hijaab compulsory will expose Christian students who would not wear it to terrorist attacks.
READ : Governor Zulum discovers 650 ghost IDPs during midnight headcount
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun listed the affected schools, 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.
Mrs Adeosun said in a statement posted on Monday on the Kwara state government’s official Facebook page that the schools will remain shut for ‘safety reasons’.
The State government has told teachers and students in the affected schools to stay at home. Schools that have complied with the directive which is seen as anti-Christian are in session.
“The 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.”
Advertisement.
“This decision has been taken for safety reasons.
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,” the statement said.