Kwara shuts down Christian schools over Hijab crisis

The Kwara state government has shut down ten grant-aided Christian mission schools in the state following their refusal to allow female students to wear hijab as directed by the state government.

In a statement Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mrs. Kemi Adeosun listed the schools as Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) College, St. Anthony College, ECWA School, Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School all in Ilorin metropolis.

“The state 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,” it said.

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,” the statement said.

Founders of some of the schools had planned to stage a peaceful protest on Monday in Ilorin to register their disapproval of the decision.