Kwara government clears up misconceptions about missionary schools and hijab

• Muslim group urges concerned parties to call CAN to order
The Kwara State Government has clarified the issue of school ownership and the issue of hijab in the state, saying public schools will continue to adhere to government policies while maintaining pluralism in the recruitment of students and teachers.

In a statement by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Prof. Mamman Saba Jubril, it was stated that, as in most parts of Nigeria, in 1974 the government took control of many schools whose original ownership included various denominations and private individuals around the world. country.

She stated that since the takeover, the state government controls, manages, fully finances and employs the staff of the schools, which were and continue to be run as public institutions.

“Various state laws support all this, especially the Kwara State Education Act 1996 (CAP E1 Kwara State Laws). These regulations very clearly define the status of these schools and the rules governing them. Such principles include pluralism in the recruitment of students and teachers. These schools, being publicly owned, are expected to follow government policy.

“Over the years, the court has vigorously rejected arguments that these schools continue to be owned by Muslim or Christian missionaries. Therefore, the government completely rejects the claims that some organizations continue to make against these schools because the law does not know about such claims. The fact that some of these schools retain the names of their founding organizations is purely honorary and a reminder of their contribution to education. This does not mean that such missionary bodies will own schools. This is an issue that has been decided by the Kwara State High Court,” Professor Jubril said.

The statement reads in part: “Current law states that no willing Muslim student may be prohibited from wearing the hijab in public schools. Any contrary provision will be a gross violation of the provisions of Art. 38 of the Constitution. The Court of Appeal upheld this position in at least three different declaratory judgments. The Kwara State Government, being a product of democracy and the rule of law, cannot act contrary to the law. Moreover, the issue of hijab is covered by the concept of pluralism and multiculturalism in the global community, including the Western world. States such as Ekiti, Osun, Oyo and Lagos held a debate and all opted for pluralism.

“Finally, it is important to clarify that the government does not impose the hijab. Wearing the hijab is not mandatory for all our students. Instead, the state government approves the hijab for any Muslim student who wants to wear it. The government only respects the basic human rights of these students. Nothing more. This has been communicated to all school principals through a circular from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.”

The Kwara government has appealed to members of the public and religious organizations to allow peace to prevail and warned against comments or behavior that may lead to the disruption of peace and harmony in the state.

Meanwhile, yesterday, violence broke out at Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State over the refusal of the school authorities to allow Muslim students to wear hijab. The students’ parents got into a heated discussion with the school authorities, which led to a stone-throwing competition between Christians and Muslims.

In response, the Nigerian Islamic human rights group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged stakeholders to call on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to clean up, saying it is to blame for what is happening in Kwara State.

In a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group expressed dismay that “people claiming to be civilized disregard the rule of law. CAN is responsible for all this. CAN was the one who called on its members to occupy this school. Fortunately, the ugly scene took place in only one of the 10 schools. It is a great pity that in 21st century Kwara, CAN is turning its members against democratic norms and the rule of law.”