There was confusion at Baptist High School, Iwo, Osun State on Tuesday
as some pupils shunned their uniforms and wore choir gowns, white garments,
Islamic apparel and other unconventional dresses to the school.
Although no group or individual could be identified as the mastermind of
the bizarre dress code by the pupils, there were, however, conflicting reasons
for the behaviour.
While some people said the unconventional dresses were a way of
registering dislike for the same uniform introduced by the government for all
schools in the state, others said some Christians who were opposed to
wearing of hijab in schools founded by Christian missionaries orchestrated the
drama.
The suit instituted on the issue of hijab wearing to school is still
pending before an Osun State High Court.
But Tuesday confusion reportedly became more pronounced at the assembly
ground as the pupils could not listen to their teachers because they were busy
lining up themselves along religious lines.
A female pupil, who was dressed in a purple gown usually worn by the
choir in the Baptist church, was said to have led Christian students in gospel
praises, while her Muslim counterpart dressed in hijab was seen hollering “Allau
Akbar” and singing praises to Allah from the same platform simultaneously.
It was learnt that although many other pupils appeared in the
government-approved uniform, a few ones who are neither Christians nor Muslims
wore clothes with the insignia of their religious beliefs, making the
atmosphere in the school chaotic.
The confusion was said to have continued in the classrooms as pupils
sang discordant tunes. The confusion, it was gathered, started on Monday and
continued on Tuesday morning.
The teachers were said to be helpless in controlling the pupils due to
the sensitivity of the issue.
The Principal of the school, identified simply as Mr. Arowolo, told PUNCH
Metro that that the issue had been reported to the appropriate
authorities for action.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Sunday Akere, said the
government had been informed of the development and had sent officials of the
Ministry of Education to the school on a fact-finding mission.
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the state had protested against
the wearing of hijab to schools founded by Christians, describing it as an
attempt to wipe away the heritage bequeathed to them by the early
missionaries.
But the Joint Muslim Action Forum, which is an umbrella body of all
Islamic groups in the state, issued a statement, condemning the protest.
The statement was issued by the JOMAF Coordinator, Alhaji Kola Uzamat
and Secretary, Mr. Qaasim Odedeji.
The group described the prevention of hijab-wearing students from
Christian schools as an act of religious intolerance which would not be allowed
in the state.
The group accused Christians of attempting to sabotage Governor Rauf
Aregbesola’s policy which it said was introduced to address the decay in the
education sector in the state.
the osun governor is gradually dividing that state....
ReplyDeleteLwkm
ReplyDeleteServe aregbesola right
ReplyDeleteAregbosola is in no doubt an antichrist which d bible says will come @ d last days.my advice 2 dos our christain pupils is dat they should be very careful of bcos dis is a very gud avenue 4 boko haram intrution
ReplyDeleteHow would wearing hijab to school positively address the decay in the education sector of the state. Naija, na wa o....
ReplyDeleteThere is freedom of religous the governace should stop causing problem in the society, is best known to GOD why HE made Nigeria to be Christain, Muslim and even the TraditIonal worshiper, will you poeple tell us that God made mistake, Governace and the people behind this should look into this and allow peace to raign
ReplyDeleteThis confusion is avoidable and no one knows where it will lead the state to. Aregbesola's advisers are not doing him any good. It is not late to reverse the decision.
ReplyDeleteWhen Aregbeshola,was ,looking for votes, he should have informed the Christians. Alot has done same but he will leave to regret it,Should there be problems btw christians and muslims.
ReplyDeleteThe governor is useless how would he do such thing to a Christian school aba aba is on fear mtchew well God dey
ReplyDeleteThis is funny. The choir robe looks better
ReplyDeleteTake another look on that guy with choir robe . Lwkm. I know that kind of stubborn young born again.
ReplyDelete