Some close to 50 female Muslim students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology International School (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso on Monday appeared in hijab, steering a fresh hijab controversy in the school.
As a result, the school’s authorities swiftly responded swiftly by locking them out of the school gate or asked to remove the head covering.
An academic staff (names withheld) made details of the development available to journalists in Ibadan.
The statement he sent via e-mail reads , “Hijab imbroglio: Welcome to LAUTECH Secondary School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
“The story dates back to 2011 , when the first request was made to the Governing Board of the school to allow our willing Muslim female children to use hijab as part of their school uniform in line with Islamic dictates.
“Since 2011, several letters of appeal have been written to the Governing Council , while we wait endlessly without any concrete positive response to our simple request.
“Our Muslim girls, over the period , have been using beret instead of hijab in their own case, contrary to the Islamic dictates.
“Our patience, over time, as law abiding citizens, was premised on our belief that the management of the school will do the needful and give regard to the rule of law and provision of the Constitution guaranteeing fundamental human rights of everybody.
“Having waited endlessly since 2011, it was decided on the 4th of January, 2019 that our willing Muslim female children should commence the use of hijab as school resumed on 7 /1 / 2019.”
Confirming the development, the principal of the school, Ibrahim Animashaun, sued for peace.
In a phone interview with Punch Newspaper, Mr Animashaun revealed that, “The school board of governors is yet to approve the use of hijab.
“And the board is looking at their letter . So, we are yet to communicate to them.
“Until we communicate with them . The status quo remains until the board approves their request.
“We spoke with the aggrieved parents that their letter is still with the board.
“LAUTECH International School Board of Governors is looking at their letter.”
EduCeleb.com recalls that a similar controversy the University of Ibadan International School is currently a subject of litigation at the State High Court with the Judge last Friday proposing an out of court settlement between the Muslim Parents and the school management.
