Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of 10 secondary schools in the capital Ilorin, pending resolution of the hijab crisis in the schools.
Permanent secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development Kemi Adeosun in a statement on Friday said the schools would remain closed until there is a resolution on the use of hijab.
The affected schools which are all located in Ilorin according to the statement 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 said that the closure comes as a government committee comprising representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities meets to iron out the differences between the two communities.
It said that further communication will be issued to inform members of the public of the development.
“Government calls for calm and urges parents and religious leaders to avoid actions or comments that may further split the two communities,” the statement said.
Kwara State Government on Thursday after a meeting over the crisis set up an independent committee to be chaired by the deputy governor Kayode Alabi.
The committee will recommend solutions to resolve the agitation for wearing of hijab by Muslim female students, who are attending public schools owned by people of another faith.
