The Kwara state government on Tuesday directed heads of schools to allow the use of hijabs in all categories of public schools, warning that attempts to sabotage the peaceful coexistence among state residents will not be tolerated.

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Sa’adatu Moddibo-Kawu, made this known on Tuesday at a meeting with Muslim and Christian stakeholders of Ijagbo, Oyun LGA, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ilorin on Tuesday.

A statement issued by Yakub Aliagan, the ministry spokesperson, said the policy statement allowing willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear the hijab was binding on all public schools, including grant-aided ones.

“This conforms with the judicial pronouncements of the courts of law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The commissioner, therefore, appealed to both Muslim and Christian leaders to allow peace to reign and thereafter directed the school heads of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, to immediately implement the policy statement on the use of the hijab in public schools.

According to the statement, the meeting was also attended by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, the Teaching Service Commission and TESCOM Board members, ANCOPSS/ NUT members.

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ijagbo, Rev. Samuel Ajayi, Chairman Muslim Stakeholders, Offa & Oyun LGA, Abubakar AbdulWasiu and the Chairman, Kwara state Muslim stakeholders, among others. 

(NAN)