Kwara State Government has announced the immediate reopening on Wednesday of the 10 schools recently shut down over the use of hijab as the government’s peace-building efforts continue.
“The government is convinced that its policy to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding,” permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development Kemi Adeosun said in a statement.
Ten schools were closed on February 19 over dispute in the use of hijab by female Muslim students.
The government set up a committee to find a solution to the dispute and it was later announced that the schools would resume on March 8 with willing female students allowed to use hijab.
The government, however, rescinded its decision to reopen the schools over safety concerns as the Christians were not willing to accept the government’s decision.
In the statement, Mrs Adeosun, however, said students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) would hold at least two-hour extra lesson to make up for lost time.
“The government will provide light lunch for the students until the beginning of their exams while teachers allotted for the extra coaching will get stipends for their efforts,” she said.
The affected schools are C&S College, Sabo-Oke, St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.
Others are 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.
