LAUTECH International School in a meltdown as pupils don hijab over uniform

Controversy has greeted the use of hijab by some female Muslim
pupils of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology International
School, Ogbomoso.

About 50 pupils of the tertiary institution’s secondary school,
on Monday, appeared in hijab.

However, the school’s authorities responded swiftly, as the
pupils were either locked out of the school gate or asked to remove
the unofficial items of dressing.

An academic staff who seems to be interested in the case (names
withheld) leaked the development to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo
State capital.

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, Mr.
Ibrahim Animashaun, sued for peace.

He said in a telephone conversation with our Correspondent 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.”