Kwara on Friday directed an immediate, but temporary closure of some grant-aided schools in Ilorin pending the resolution of a Hijab controversy in the schools.
In a statement released on Monday March 8, by the state’s Ministry of Education permanent secretary Kemi Adeosun, the schools which were earlier told to reopen on Monday were directed to remain shut.
The schools 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 read;
“The Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development wishes to inform members of the public that the 10 government schools where the use of Hijab is disputed will remain shut until a later date.
“This decision has been taken for safety reasons. The government, therefore, directs schoolchildren 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.”