There’d been a four-month shutdown due to a crisis sparked by the wearing of the Hijab. Now the Kwara State Government has declared the reopening of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo; for pupils to resume academic activities.
Hijab refers to head coverings worn by Muslim women.
State authorities closed the school on February 3, following controversy between Muslim and Christian parents. This was after they stormed the school to protect their different faiths on the wearing of Hijab by female Muslim students.
Read Also: Kwara Govt Shuts Oyun Baptist High School Over Hijab Controversy
Mrs Mary Adeosun, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, stated in a statement on Wednesday, June 1, that the school would reopen on Friday, June 3.
She said the government’s decision to reopen the school is to restore normalcy in the institution.
Adeosun revealed in the statement:
The Ministry’s decision to reopen the school is one of the government’s multi-prong approaches to return normalcy to the school
Consequently, all teachers and students are directed to return to their classrooms while the government white paper committee continues the efforts to address pending issues related to the recent disturbance in the public school.
Similarly, the Ministry restates the government’s position that any Muslim schoolgirl who desires to wear the Hijab is allowed to do so in all public schools, including in Oyun Baptist High School Ijagbo, which is owned by the State Government and run with public resources.
She urged all stakeholders in the area to give peace a chance and to respect the law, warning that;
The government will not hesitate to shut the school again. In fact, among other things, if anything threatens the safety of the little children.
Following controversy between Muslim and Christian parents who stormed the school to protect their different faiths on the wearing of Hijab by female Muslim students at the school, the authorities closed it down on February 3, 2022.
Read Also: Many injured As Protest Breaks Out Over Use Of Hijab In Kwara School (Graphic Photos)
During the incident, at least one person is believed to have died; and 11 others have been injured.
The shutdown has impacted 150 senior secondary school pupils; all of whom were scheduled to appear for their West African School Certificate Examinations.
