Correcting misconceptions about 'missionary schools' and Hijaab in Kwara State
The Kwara State Government wishes to once again make clarifications regarding its position on the owner-ship of schools and the question of hijaabs.
The Government of Kwara State, like in most parts of Nigeria, took control of many schools in 1974. Original ownership of these schools cut across taiths and private individuals across the country, Since the takeover the state government has controlled, managed, whaly funded, and staffed these schools which were ran and are still being run as public institutions. Al of these and backed by various state laws, especially the Kwara State Education Law of 1996 (CAP E1f he taws of Kwara State). These taws are very clour about status of these schools and the rules guiding them Such rules include pluralismin recruitment of students and teachers These schools, teen public-oNned, are to adhere to policies of government.
Arguments over the years that these school still belong to either the Muslim or Christian missionaries have been flatly rejected by the court. So, the government totally rejects the claim some organisations are still names of their founding organisation is purely honourary and in memoriam of their contributions to education.
It does not translate to such missionary bodies owning the schools. This is a matter that has been set in the High Court of kwara State and the Court of Appeal
Secondly, the law today is that any wiling Muslii schoolgiet cannot be stopped from wearing hijab in pubic schools. Anything to the contrary will be in violent contravention of provisions of Section 38 of the Constitu tion The Court of Appeal has affirmed this position in at least three different dacia story judgments. The Government of Kwara State a product of democracy and rule of law, canret go contrary to the law. Besides, the hiab question has come under the concept of pluralism and multiculturalism in the global community. including in the western world. States like Ekel, Osun, Oyo and Lagos tave gore through this debate and they all resolved in tour of pluralism
Finally, it is important to clarify that the government is not in imposing the hijab, Its not mandatory for all out school girls to wear hijab. Rather, the government approves hijaab tor any Muslim school girl
who Wishes to use it. The government s onlyrespectinga fundamental human tight ol those schoolgiris. Nothing more. This has been communicated to all school heads via acicular of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development,
We therefore appeal to members of the public ad religious organization to allow peace to win the par ernment cautions against comments or conducts that can lead to breakdown of peace and harmony for which Kwara State and its people are known over the years.
signed
Prot. Mamman Saba albril Secretary
to the Kwara State
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