Osun govt approves use of hijab in schools, gives conditions
By Ekene Agbor, Osogbo
After years of legal framework, the Osun State Government has finally approved the use hijab in schools.
According to a circular issued to tutors General, Executive secretary of Osun State Basic Education Board, zonal inspectors and principals of schools by the Coordinating Director of the state
Ministry of Education, Mrs C. K. Olaniyan, the use of hijab is allowed in public schools.
The circular obtained by News Boom on Monday indicated that hijab should not be made compulsory for students, especially non-Muslims.
Recall that the Osun State Muslim Community had on February 14, 2013, dragged the state government to the court, seeking an order of the court to allow female Muslim students in the state enjoy their fundamental rights by granting them freedom to use hijab in public schools.
The issue had generated pockets of crisis across public schools in the state.
The circular noted that the court had ordered the use of hijab in public schools and that the State Government had gazetted it.
It therefore warned public schools against flouting the directive as doing so would be tantamount to contempt of court.
The circular reads in full: “In addition to the existing rules and regulations earlier forwarded to you (education stakeholders mentioned above) and for the sake of emphasis, all schools in the state shall operate in such a manner as to promote the secular nature of the State.
“The use of moderate/medium sized hijab by female Muslim Students (not below the navel) shall be allowed in all Public Schools with a condition that it shall not be made compulsory for any student especially for non – Muslims in such schools. A uniformed color of the school uniform shall be chosen by the school authorities.
“Please be reminded that the issue of hijab is stemmed out of judicial decisions and any contravention shall be termed as contempt of court ruling, as the court decision has been gazetted by the State Government.”
