Hijab Controversy: Kwara Government extends closure of 10 schools

The Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development has announced the extension of closure of 10 government schools where the use of hijaab is disputed until a later date.

A statement released on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun said that the schools should remain closed because of security reasons.

She listed the affected 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 statement has therefore directed schoolchildren and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until further notice

It added that the government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times.

It would be recalled 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 were attending the schools.

Last week, the state government approved the use of hijabs by Muslims students in public and mission grant aided schools.