UI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL STILL REMAINS SHUT OVER HIJAB CRISES; PROTESTERS MARCH DOWN TO SCHOOL GATE

– By TOLULOPE IBUKUN, ABH PRESS

Management shuts down UI International School over hijab controversy

The International School, Ibadan has been shut down after several female students showed up to school wearing hijabs.The closure of the secondary school established in 1963 and owned by the University of Ibadan , followed the unprecedented appearance of some pupils who adorned hijab , against what the school ’s management prescribed as the school dress code .

The school, under the management of the University of Ibadan, had received a letter from a group called International School Muslim Parents’ Forum. The group had addressed the letter to the school, saying their children would be exercising their constitutional rights by wearing their hijabs to school. The forum argued that : “Hijab wearing for young Muslim girls , apart from the fact that it is part of their religious belief, is part of their God given fundamental human right as well as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . ”

However, The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof . Abideen Aderinto , who doubles as the Chairman Court of Governors of the school , stated that the “jungle approach ” being used by the parents would not be tolerated .Aderinto asked that the parents who make up the group go through the required process if they want the rules to be changed.

Both school assembly and classes were cancelled on Tuesday morning when pupils wearing hijab were sighted on the school premises. A representative of the International School Muslim Parents ’ Forum , expressed surprise that the school was shut down because of female students who wore hijab to school , in line with their constitutional rights .He maintained that the Forum would continue to forge ahead with their agitation until “their daughters are allowed to wear hijabs .”

The Principal, Mrs Phebean Olowe has not been available for comments