Parents of female Muslim students who were barred from entering the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) International School have urged the school authority to consider the issue as an emergency situation which should be treated with required expediency.
Fifty-five female Muslim students of the school were on monday banned from accesing the school premises because they wore hijab
The parents under the auspices of LAUTECH staff school and LAUTECH international college, Ogbomoso, Muslim Parents’ Forum, expressed their grievances on the failure of the school management to address the Muslim parents early enough.
The parents in a communique issue after a peace meeting held with stakeholders of LAUTECH Staff school (LSS) and LAUTECH International college (LICO), Ogbomoso, argued that “the school process is a continuum and nothing should retard the ongoing efforts of the Committee that has been put in place to address the issue of Hijab”.
In attendance at the meeting were: Chairman Governing Board (LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso), Chairman Governing Board (LAUTECH Staff School), Chairman Ogbomoso Parapo, Chairman PTA LAUTECH Staff School, Chairman PTA LAUTECH International College Ogbomoso, Chairman LAUTECH Security Committee, DSS Ogbomoso North Local Government, Principal LAUTECH International College Ogbomoso, Headmistress LAUTECH Staff School, Representative of the LAUTECH Public Relation Unit and representatives of Muslim Parents.
The concerned parents in the communique signed by the duo of Mr. Ismaheel Adigun and Mr. AbdulRahman Elegbede, Chairman and Secretary respectively, a copy which was made available to journalists on Tuesday, appeal that the process relating to the use of Hijab by willing female Muslim pupils of LAUTECH Staff School and LAUTECH International College be concluded in earnest.
The statement reads, “Sequel to the peaceful meeting held on Monday 14th January, 2019 at LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso (LICO) premises with the key stakeholders about the use of Hijab by the willing female Muslim pupils, the followings were the key highlights of the resolutions at the meeting.
“That the process for the consideration of the use of Hijab has dragged too long since 2011; That the parents strongly express dissatisfaction on the unruly behavior and arrant use of vulgar language by some teachers against the Muslim parents.
“The Muslim parents expressed their grievances on the failure of the School management to address the Muslim parents early enough while attack is coming from teachers.
“That it was observed that there was a communication gap between the management of the schools and the Muslim parents on the ongoing efforts of the School in respect of the use of the Hijab by willing female Muslim pupils.
“That a committee had already been put in place by the Governing Board to look at the issue of the School uniform as it relates to Hijab among other things. An appeal was made to Muslim parents to allow the ongoing process of the Committee be concluded.
“The management should consider the issue as an emergency situation and should be treated with the required expediency. That the school process is a continuum and nothing should retard the ongoing efforts of the Committee that has been put in place to address the issue of Hijab.
“We humbly appeal that the process relating to the use of Hijab by willing female Muslim Pupils of LAUTECH Staff School and LAUTECH International College be concluded in earnest”.
