Kwara gov’t shuts 10 schools indefinitely as Hijab controversy worsens

The Kwara State Government has shut 10 grant-aided missionary schools indefinitely as a result of the controversy over the use of Hijab.

The government had initially approved the use of Hijab and directed the schools to reopen on Monday, March 8, 2021.

• Oil price hits $71.28 per barrel
• Confusion as Army retrieves uniforms, ID cards of 145 soldiers in Borno

But some stakeholders kicked against the directive.

The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church had vowed not to allow the use of Hijab by female students in its schools.

In a statement on Monday,  The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, directed the schools to remain shut.

“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,” she said.

The 10 schools were shut temporarily on February 19, 2021, over the Hijab controversy and a committee was set up to look into the issue.

On February 26, the state government announced March 8 for the reopening of the schools, saying Hijab should be accepted as part of school uniform.

The affected schools are

• C&S College Sabo Oke
• St. Anthony Secondary School, 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
• St. James Secondary School Maraba