Some parents of the students of International School (ISI) of the University of Ibadan has protested against the approach of the Muslim parents in introducing the use of Hijab in the school, saying it will divide the students along religious lines.
The parents on Wednesday carried placards as they marched to the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academic, Prof. Abideen Aderinto, to deliver a letter conveying their opposition to the use of hijab which led to the closure of the school indefinitely last Monday.
Conveners of the protest, Barr. Olalekan Thani, Babaawo Awosanmi Abe and Olusola Aleshin, said the 55-year old school is one indivisible entity which no one or group should be allowed to divide for any reason.
They described as dangerous a situation where little children are made to begin to discriminate among themselves along religious, ethnic or other sentiments instead of emerging as global citizens.
In the letter entitled “Clamour for the Introduction of Religious Emblem of Our Children in the International School, University of Ibadan,” the parents urged the school’s Board which is headed by the DVC, to ensure that the rules and regulations guiding the school, and to which all parents signed to uphold, reign supreme.
They insisted that the children are friends and colleagues as well as their parents, stressing that any attempt by Muslim parents to divide them should not be allowed to succeed.
They accused the Muslim parents of attempting to disrupt the school’s academic activities as well as the love and unity already existing among the children who do not see religious barriers among themselves.
