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Kwara govt suspends head of Arabic school over students’ maltreatment

October 11, 2021 No Comments

The Kwara State government has suspended the head of Musbaudeen Islamiyya Arabic school in Ganmo, Ifelodun local government area of the state for flogging five students of the institution.

The state’s Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said a panel has been set up to investigate the matter.

In a video that surfaced on social media at the weekend, some clerics were seen flogging the students with long canes for allegedly attending a birthday party at a clubhouse in the area.

The incident sparked angry reactions from members of the public, including the students’ parents, and forced the government to take the action.

The statement read: “A Kwara State government’s delegation has visited the Arabic school whose students were seen in a video footage being punished for alleged conducts conceived to be contrary to the rules of the school.

“The team comprised the Hon. Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu; Special Assistant to the Governor on Religion (Islam) Alhaji Danmaigoro; Dr. Saudat AbduBaqi of the University of Ilorin; Mallam Lawal Olohungbebe of Kwara State University; and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

The team was joined by the Divisional Police Officer Ganmo SP Oko Nkama; and a representative of the NSCDC DSC Parati AbdulHameed.

The government’s team carefully listened to the authorities of the Arabic school, the father of the sole girl in the video, and four other students involved in the unsavoury development.

“Regardless of the explanations of the authorities on the development, the self-confessed consent of the parents, and regret of the affected students, the government seriously frowns at the harsh beating seen in the footage.

“Consequently, the government has directed the setting up of an investigative committee, comprising Muslim scholars, leaders and government officials, to look into the issue while the head of the Arabic school, who admitted to directing the punishment, has been asked to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The government has also taken the affected students to a public hospital for proper medical examination and treatment. This is to ensure that none of them suffers any physical or psychological damage.”

Kwara govt approves use of hijab in public schools

February 27, 2021 No Comments

The Kwara State Government has approved the use of hijab in all public schools in the state.

The government also directed the 10 schools it shut last week in Ilorin, the state capital, over hijab controversy to reopen on Monday.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Mamma Jibril, Thursday evening.

The state government had shut down C&S College, ST. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School pending resolution on the matter.

The statement read in part “Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/ grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools. Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear same in public/grant-aided schools,” he said.

Also, the government affirms the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship. The government hereby directs that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021.

“Similarly, the government has carefully noted submissions regarding ownership of grant-aided schools and related issues. While the status of these schools is the subject of judicial determination, this and other related matters will soon be subjected to a technical committee to advise accordingly. The government reassures all members of the public that it will act in good conscience at all times.

The government asserts that there is no victor or vanquished on the hijab question. It urges the two faith communities, especially the leaders, opinion moulders and media personalities to act with restraint and great responsibility in their public utterances and actions, and continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. The government commends all the thought and religious leaders on both sides for their forbearance, understanding and commitment to peace.”